Troops rescue kidnap victim, arrest suspect in Benue

On September 4 and 6, troops from the Joint Task Force conducted intelligence-led operations in Benue and Nasarawa states, resulting in the rescue of an abducted victim and the arrest of a suspected kidnapper. Lt Ahmad Zubairu, the Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters JTF OPWS, revealed that the operations were carried out to disrupt criminal activities and deny kidnappers freedom of action in the OPWS Joint Operations Area, which includes Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States.

In Benue State, the COAS Intervention Battalion XI, stationed at Torkula in Guma LGA, rescued Vincent Nyado on September 6. Nyado was found tied and abandoned along the Umene-Torkula road after his abductors fled the area upon spotting the approaching troops during a patrol aimed at dominating the region and preventing criminal activities.

Meanwhile, in Nasarawa State, troops of Sector 2 arrested Adamu Lamu, a suspected kidnapper, on September 4. The victim, Nehemiah Elisha, a 31-year-old, escaped from his abductors and alerted security personnel at a market in Agyaragu. Elisha had spotted one of the kidnappers and immediately informed the troops, leading to Lamu's swift arrest. Lamu has since been handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Zubairu emphasized that the task force remains committed to sustaining intelligence-driven operations against criminal elements in the north-central and Taraba state. He urged residents to provide credible and timely information to security agencies, as cooperation between communities and security forces is critical in defeating criminal elements.