By Miriam Humbe
Troops of Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), have sustained their intelligence-driven offensive operations across the Joint Operations Area, resulting in the arrest of a suspected kidnapper and the rescue of a kidnapped victim in separate operations in Nasarawa and Benue States.
Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, the
Acting Media Information Officer
HQ JTF Operation WHIRL STROKE disclosed this in a statement signed on Sunday.
On 4 September 2026, troops of Sector 2, Operation WHIRL STROKE, arrested a suspected kidnapper identified as Adamu Lamu at Agyaragu in Nasarawa State.
The arrest followed a remarkable escape by one of the victims of the kidnapping syndicate, identified as Mr Nehemiah Elisha, aged 31.
According to preliminary information, Mr Elisha, after escaping from his abductors, sighted one of the suspected kidnappers at a market in Agyaragu.
He immediately alerted troops deployed in the area, who swiftly responded and apprehended the suspect.
The arrested suspect has since been handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigation and necessary legal action.
In a separate incident on 6 September 2026 at about 10:07 am, troops of COAS Intervention Battalion XI, deployed at Torkula, conducted a patrol to dominate the general area and prevent criminal activities.
During the operation, troops rescued a kidnapped victim, identified as Mr Vincent Nyado, along the Umene–Torkula Road.
The victim was found tied and abandoned by the roadside. Preliminary information revealed that he had allegedly been abducted by suspected terrorists.
On sighting the approaching troops, the suspects reportedly fled into the surrounding bushes, abandoning their victim.
The rescued victim was subsequently secured by the troops, while efforts are ongoing to obtain further information and identify the fleeing suspects.
Operation WHIRL STROKE remains resolute in its mandate to stem the rising tide of violence across the North-Central region and Taraba State.
OPWS has charged troops to maintain the momentum of ongoing intelligence-led operations, remain vigilant and sustain close cooperation with relevant security agencies and local communities.
Members of the public are equally encouraged to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies, as such cooperation remains critical to defeating criminal elements and creating a safer environment for all.
