In a joint effort between Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), the police, and other security agencies, a total of 9 individuals who had been kidnapped were successfully rescued, while two suspects were apprehended in Benue.
Maj.Gen. Sunday Igbinomwanhia, the Force Commander of OPWS, made this announcement during a press conference in Makurdi on Thursday. The operation took place on Tuesday in the Owukpa forest located in the Ogbadibo Local Government Area of the state.
The rescued victims consisted of eight females and one male. The operation was initiated in response to the kidnapping incident that occurred on January 11, when passengers traveling in a commercial bus along the Otukpo – Enugu Road were abducted.
The kidnappers were forced to flee their hideout due to the superior firepower of the security forces, leaving their victims behind. Among the items recovered at the scene were an AK 47 rifle and 10 mobile phones.
The rescued victims were promptly provided with First Aid at the Sector Headquarters before being allowed to continue their journeys after debriefing. The suspects and all seized items were handed over to the police for further investigation and legal action.
