By Sunday Ogli, Makurdi
TROOPS of Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS, the military spike operation in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states, have rescued kidnap victims at Owukpa Forest in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Recall that some travelers were abducted from a commercial bus around the forest along Otukpo-Enugu Road on Thursday,11th January, 2024.
An OPWS source who pleaded anonymity said the rescue exercise was carried out in conjunction with operatives of the Nigerian Police Force, NPF and the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards, BSCVG.
The source further disclosed that the troops relied on the intelligence provided by the locals to carry out the operation.
According to him: “On 16 January 2024 at about 10:30 am, troops of Sector 6 Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Benue State Community Volunteer Guard (BSCVG) acting on credible intelligence, stormed the hideout of suspected kidnappers at Owukpa Forest in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.
“The raid operation was premised on the kidnap of passengers transiting in a commercial bus along Otukpa-Enugu Road on 11 January 2024.
“During the firefight, the suspected kidnappers fled their hideout due to troops’ superior fire power, abandoning their victims in the process.
“Further exploitation of the general area led to the arrest of 2 of the suspected kidnappers.”
Items recovered at the scene, according to the source, included one AK 47 Rifle and 10 mobile phones while the rescued kidnap victims were immediately moved to the Sector Headquarters and given first aid.
He said the victims were subsequently moved to the Force Headquarters of OPWS where they were debriefed by the Force Commander OPWS, Major General SI Igbinomwanhia and later released to proceed to their respective destinations.
The OPWS source also revealed that the arrested suspects and all items recovered during the raid have been duly handed over to the police for further action.
“The Force Commander also appreciated the locals for providing the information that led to discovery of the hideout of the kidnappers and the subsequent rescue of the victims.
“He also urged the people in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states to continue to make use of the emergency numbers provided by the Command to provide credible information to OPWS,” the source said.
Troops rescue kidnap victims in Benue
By Sunday Ogli, Makurdi
TROOPS of Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS, the military spike operation in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states, have rescued kidnap victims at Owukpa Forest in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Recall that some travelers were abducted from a commercial bus around the forest along Otukpo-Enugu Road on Thursday,11th January, 2024.
An OPWS source who pleaded anonymity said the rescue exercise was carried out in conjunction with operatives of the Nigerian Police Force, NPF and the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards, BSCVG.
The source further disclosed that the troops relied on the intelligence provided by the locals to carry out the operation.
According to him: “On 16 January 2024 at about 10:30 am, troops of Sector 6 Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Benue State Community Volunteer Guard (BSCVG) acting on credible intelligence, stormed the hideout of suspected kidnappers at Owukpa Forest in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.
“The raid operation was premised on the kidnap of passengers transiting in a commercial bus along Otukpa-Enugu Road on 11 January 2024.
“During the firefight, the suspected kidnappers fled their hideout due to troops’ superior fire power, abandoning their victims in the process.
“Further exploitation of the general area led to the arrest of 2 of the suspected kidnappers.”
Items recovered at the scene, according to the source, included one AK 47 Rifle and 10 mobile phones while the rescued kidnap victims were immediately moved to the Sector Headquarters and given first aid.
He said the victims were subsequently moved to the Force Headquarters of OPWS where they were debriefed by the Force Commander OPWS, Major General SI Igbinomwanhia and later released to proceed to their respective destinations.
The OPWS source also revealed that the arrested suspects and all items recovered during the raid have been duly handed over to the police for further action.
“The Force Commander also appreciated the locals for providing the information that led to discovery of the hideout of the kidnappers and the subsequent rescue of the victims.
“He also urged the people in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states to continue to make use of the emergency numbers provided by the Command to provide credible information to OPWS,” the source said.
