Troops from the Joint Task Force of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have arrested two suspected kidnappers and neutralised one other suspect during separate operations across Benue State.
Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, the acting Media Information Officer for OPWS, made this announcement in a statement released on Sunday in Makurdi.
He reported that, acting on credible intelligence, troops intercepted a suspected bandit kingpin and his associates who were operating an illegal checkpoint along the Jortar–Atume axis on August 19, 2026.
“On arrival, the troops made contact with the criminals, resulting in a firefight during which one suspected bandit, identified by the nickname, “Cool Nigga”, was neutralised.
“The other members of the group fled in disarray, abandoning a motorcycle, which was recovered by the troops,” Zubairu stated in a statement.
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In another operation at Gou in Logo Local Government Area of the state, the OPWS spokesperson said that two suspected kidnappers were arrested.
He said that the two suspects, identified as Terhile Iyo, 44, and Vershima Emmanuel, 32, had confessed to an attempt to kidnap one Mrs Balame Nyikwagh of Gou Village.
Lt Zubairu listed Items recovered from the suspects to include one locally made pistol, one cartridge, five Tecno torchlight phones, a MoniePoint ATM card, an identity card, multiple SIM cards and charms, adding that the suspects remain in military custody for further exploitation.
While reassuring citizens in its area of operations, Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States, of its commitment to protecting lives and property, the force urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
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