Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke, have foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Otukpo–Enugu Expressway in Benue State, rescuing several passengers and forcing the assailants to flee.
The incident occurred on December 22, 2025, at about 10:00 p.m. after troops on routine patrol received a distress call and swiftly mobilised to the Amoda axis in Ohimini Local Government Area.
According to the task force, armed criminals had emerged from the bush and briefly taken over an existing checkpoint along the highway.
The attackers stopped two 18-seater commercial buses travelling from Jos, Plateau State, to Ibadan, Oyo State, and attempted to abduct all the passengers.
However, the prompt intervention of troops led to a firefight, compelling the kidnappers to abandon their victims and flee into the bush.
In the initial encounter, 15 passengers were rescued and handed over to the Nigerian Police Division in Otukpo.
While six adults and four minors were initially declared missing, follow-up operations led to the rescue of five additional adults and all four minors.
They are currently in the custody of the Police Area Command in Otukpo, while search efforts continue to locate the remaining missing passenger.
Commenting on the operation, the Force Commander of Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their swift response and professionalism. He reaffirmed the task force’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property within its area of responsibility.
Major General Gara said sustained offensive operations, intelligence-led patrols and coordinated engagements with other security agencies would continue to deny criminal elements freedom of action across the region.
The Force Commander also extended Christmas and Yuletide greetings to Christian faithful within the joint operations area, which covers Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states.