Heroic Nigerian Army storms kidnappers' den in Benue, rescues five and seizes weapons

Crime Diary, Politics

ABUJA, NIGERIA — (NPA) MARCH 14 — Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke of the Nigerian Army freed five kidnapped victims in Katsina-Ala, Benue State, and recovered pistols and ammunition in separate raids described as offensive actions to restore peace in the Joint Operations Area.

According to Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer, the rescued individuals are Babaji Muhammad, 40, abducted along Chede Takun Road and held for ten days; Sunday Yamusa, 45, detained for six weeks; Annumba Obunde, 40, and Babangida Ibbi, 41, both abducted along Tor Donga Road; and Doofan Ahula, 54, held for one month and two days after being taken along Chede Takun Road.

The statement added that on March 13, troops acting on intelligence about bandits at Mtam Village, Utange Council Ward, Katsina-Ala LGA, conducted a rapid response operation. The criminals fled before arrival, but troops recovered items including camouflage, desert boots, a smoke grenade, 107 rounds of 7.62mm x 54mm ammunition, three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, seven rounds of 9mm ammunition, a Dane gun, six pistols, magazines, motorcycles, and charms.

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Major General Moses Gara, Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, commended the troops’ professionalism and urged them to sustain momentum against criminal elements. He also thanked the public for credible intelligence and encouraged continued reporting of suspicious activities to support peace efforts in the region.