Troops Foil Kidnap Attempt On Benue Road, Rescue Two

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have rescued two people from suspected kidnappers along the Naka-Ahume Road in Benue State.

The troops reportedly ran into the suspected kidnappers on October 24 while on patrol along the road, as the suspects attempted to abduct motorists and other road users.

The soldiers engaged the suspects in a gunfight, forcing them to abandon the victims and flee, according to a statement issued by the task force on Sunday.

The troops pursued the fleeing suspects but did not encounter them again.

One of the rescued victims, 36-year-old Mngunengen Ihom, from Ahume, sustained machete wounds during the attack. She was taken to Naka General Hospital for treatment.

The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Moses Gara, urged troops to sustain operations against armed groups threatening residents in the area.

Gara, who is also the General Officer Commanding, 5 Division, Nigerian Army, called for improved intelligence gathering to help security personnel identify and respond to threats early.

He also urged residents to provide security agencies with credible information to support efforts to restore peace in the area.