Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke have rescued two bank workers who were abducted by suspected kidnappers in Benue State and later moved across state lines.
The victims, identified as Marwan Abubakar, 40, and Leng’en Cakop, 37, are staff members of Unity Bank. They were reportedly kidnapped in Zaki-Biam in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State before being taken to Gborgbor Village in Wukari Local Government Area of neighbouring Taraba State.
Their rescue followed credible intelligence indicating that armed criminals were holding captives within the community. Acting on the information, troops launched a coordinated search and rescue operation in the area.
The Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Whirl Stroke, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Sunday. According to him, soldiers began by conducting thorough searches of suspected houses and hideouts in Gborgbor Village. Initial searches did not immediately locate the suspects or their victims, but further intelligence suggested the kidnappers were still within the area.
In response, additional troops under the command of the Sub-Sector Commander were deployed to strengthen the operation and widen the search. Security personnel subsequently extended the operation to neighbouring settlements, including Tse Anaka, intensifying pressure on the criminals.
As the security presence increased, the suspected kidnappers reportedly abandoned the two victims and fled the area. The victims were recovered unharmed, while a motorcycle believed to have been used by the criminals during the operation was discovered along the route leading to Tse Anaka Village.
The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Moses Gara, praised the troops for their swift action and professionalism. He noted that the successful rescue underscored the importance of intelligence-driven operations in tackling kidnapping and other forms of criminal activity in the region.
Gara also reassured residents of Taraba State and neighbouring communities that security forces remain committed to protecting lives and property. He encouraged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to aid efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating across the area.
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