Troops operating under Operation WHIRL STROKE successfully foiled a kidnapping attempt along the busy Enugu–Otukpo Road on Wednesday night, rescuing three victims unharmed.
According to a statement released on February 26, 2026, by Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force, seen by Securitynewsalert.com, the incident occurred during a routine night patrol by troops from the Forward Operation Base (FOB) Otukpo.
At approximately 10:00 PM on February 25, troops received credible intelligence regarding the seizure of an 18-seater Benue Links bus (Registration Number: TYK 221 YK). The vehicle, which was reportedly conveying four passengers and a minor, had been intercepted by suspected kidnappers.
Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the troops mobilised to the scene and trailed the kidnappers along their withdrawal route. The prompt response forced the criminals to abandon three of the victims to avoid capture.
While no direct firefight occurred during the pursuit, authorities confirmed that the kidnappers fled the scene. Troops recovered a mobile phone believed to belong to one of the suspects.
The Force Commander praised the troops for their resilience, vigilance, and operational efficiency in preventing a major security breach.
In light of the incident, the Command has issued a security advisory to road users. Motorists are urged to be alert at all times and to watch for unusual absences of vehicular movement, particularly within a two-kilometre stretch, pausing to assess the situation if necessary. Furthermore, road users are encouraged to promptly report suspicious movements to the nearest security outpost to enhance rapid response times.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to securing highways within its area of responsibility.
