Troops of the Nigerian Military have thwarted a kidnapping try alongside the Otukpo–Enugu Expressway in Benue State, rescuing 24 passengers made up of 20 adults and 4 minors.
The rescue operation adopted an tried abduction of passengers travelling in two business buses by suspected armed bandits.
The incident occurred on December 22, 2025, at about 10:00 pm within the Amoda space of Ohimini Native Authorities Space.
Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, Appearing Media Info Officer, disclosed in an announcement on Saturday that troops swiftly responded to a misery name and mobilised to the scene.
In keeping with the assertion, the criminals emerged from the bush, took over an current checkpoint and intercepted two 18-seater buses travelling from Jos, Plateau State, to Ibadan, Oyo State, with the intention of abducting all passengers onboard.
Nevertheless, the immediate intervention of troops underneath Operation WHIRL STROKE led to a gun battle, forcing the abductors to desert the passengers and flee into the encircling bush.
Zubairu defined that in the course of the preliminary encounter, 15 passengers have been freed and handed over to the Nigerian Police Division in Otukpo, whereas six adults and 4 minors have been initially unaccounted for.
He added that follow-up operations led to the rescue of 5 further adults and all 4 minors, who’ve since been transferred to the custody of the Police Space Command in Otukpo.
Search operations are nonetheless ongoing to find the remaining lacking passenger.
Reacting to the event, the Pressure Commander of the Joint Job Pressure, Operation WHIRL STROKE, Main Normal Moses Gara, praised the troops for his or her swift motion and professionalism.
He reiterated the Job Pressure’s agency resolve to guard lives and property inside its Space of Accountability, noting that sustained offensive operations, intelligence-driven patrols, and shut collaboration with different safety companies would proceed to limit legal actions.
“Main Normal Moses Gara, extends heat Christmas and Yuletide greetings to all Christian devoted throughout the Joint Operations Space, protecting Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States.
He prays that the season brings God’s considerable mercy, peace, and enduring pleasure to households and communities.
“The Pressure Commander urges all believers to stay united, to shun all types of violence, and to stay by the noble virtues exemplified by the Lord Jesus Christ of affection, humility, tolerance, and compassion as a prerequisite for shared prosperity all through the festive interval and past,” Zubair added.
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