Troops of Sector 1 under Operation Whirl Stroke of the Nigerian Army have foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Enugu–Otukpo Road, rescuing three victims.
In a statement issued on Thursday by Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, the incident happened on February 25, 2026, when troops deployed at the Forward Operation Base, Otukpo, received credible intelligence during a night patrol that suspected kidnappers had seized an 18-seater Benue Links bus with registration number TYK 221 YK.
According to the statement, the vehicle was reportedly conveying four passengers and a minor at the time of the attack.
The statement reads, “Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the troops mobilised to the scene and trailed the kidnappers along their withdrawal route. Their prompt response forced the criminals to abandon three of the victims.
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“No direct contact was made during the pursuit. However, one mobile phone believed to belong to the kidnappers was recovered at the scene.”
The Force Commander commended the troops for their resilience, vigilance, and operational efficiency in preventing what could have escalated into a major security breach.
He further advised road users to be vigilant at all times, emphasising that motorists should be cautious, observe an unusual absence of vehicular movement within a two-kilometre stretch, and pause to assess the situation where necessary.
The commander encouraged drivers to promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest security outpost to enhance rapid response.
