Nigerian troops under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have rescued a kidnapped man and recovered a cache of weapons during a raid on armed bandits in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
Acting Media Information Officer Lt. Ahmad Zubairu said the operation was launched after credible intelligence revealed that a gang was holding hostages and terrorising residents around Agera Nagu in Mbagina, Michihe Council Ward.
Working in collaboration with the Benue State Civil Protection Guard (BSCPG), the troops engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle, forcing them to abandon their captive and flee into the bush.
The victim, identified as 43-year-old Teryima Torbee, was freed unharmed.
A subsequent search of the gang’s hideout led to the recovery of one FN rifle, five magazines, and 83 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition. Security patrols in the area have since been intensified to deter further attacks.
Force Commander Major General Moses Gara commended the troops for their swift and professional response, stressing that the synergy between the military and civil authorities was crucial to restoring peace in the region.
“Synergy and collaboration remain key to defeating criminal gangs and restoring lasting peace,” General Gara said, reaffirming OPWS’s commitment to eliminating banditry and violent crimes across Benue and neighbouring states.
