Troops from Operation Whirl Stroke, a Joint Military Operation, have successfully rescued eight people from kidnappers operating along the Taraba-Benue border, specifically between Wukari and Zakibiam in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State. The rescue operation took place over the weekend.
The victims, including a National Youth Service Corps member and a lawyer, had been held by the kidnappers for over a month while their families negotiated for ransom. Among those rescued was Rabiu Muhammad, who was abducted after delivering ransom money for his cousin, Ibrahim Umar.
The military presented the rescued victims to select media houses at their base camp in Zakibiam, Ukum Local Government Area. A military officer from the 401 Special Forces Brigade, part of Operation Whirl Stroke, shared details of the victims’ identities. The rescued individuals include:
– Samuel Muekera (29 years old)
– Anaelechi Bob (32 years old)
– Ayuba Luka (28 years old)
– Ibrahim Umar (30 years old)
– Rabiu Muhammad (48 years old)
– Buhari Ahmadu Saleh (17 years old)
– Blessing Ayuba (47 years old)
The officer, who preferred to remain anonymous, explained that these individuals were kidnapped on different dates while traveling on the Zaki-Biam Wukari road. They were abducted in separate incidents but held by the same criminal group.
Victims revealed that they were kidnapped while traveling on the Zakibiam-Wukari road and remained in captivity for over a month before the military intervened.
One of the victims, Blessing Ayuba, shared her harrowing experience, explaining that she had come to pay ransom for her kidnapped brother, Tanko Ayuba, but was also abducted by the kidnappers.
The military reported that the kidnappers belong to remnants of the gang once led by the notorious criminal Terwase Agwaza, also known as Gana. These bandits have been terrorizing communities in Ukum, Katsina-Ala, and Sankera Local Government Areas, making kidnapping a source of income.
Over 20 million naira was reportedly collected in ransom from the families of the rescued individuals before the military carried out the successful operation.
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke are stationed in Benue, Taraba, and Nasarawa states, tasked with addressing security challenges in the region.
