By Micah Jonah, February 27, 2026
Troops of Sector 1 under Operation Whirl Stroke have foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Enugu-Otukpo Road, rescuing three victims without casualties.
The incident occurred on February 25, 2026, when troops stationed at the Forward Operation Base, Otukpo, received credible intelligence during a night patrol that an 18 seater Benue Links bus with registration number TYK 221 YK had been hijacked by suspected kidnappers. The vehicle was reportedly carrying four passengers and a minor at the time of the attack.
According to the statement, troops swiftly mobilised to the area and tracked the suspects along their withdrawal route. The pressure mounted by the soldiers forced the kidnappers to abandon three of the victims.
No direct exchange of fire was reported during the pursuit. However, troops recovered a mobile phone believed to belong to one of the suspects at the scene.
The Force Commander commended the troops for their resilience, vigilance and operational efficiency, noting that their timely intervention prevented what could have escalated into a major security incident.
He also advised motorists to remain vigilant while travelling, urging drivers to take note of unusual absence of vehicular movement within a two kilometre stretch and to pause where necessary to assess the situation. Road users were encouraged to promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest security outpost to enable rapid response.
The statement was issued by Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke.
