The Defense Headquarters reports that Operation WHIRL STROKE rescued about 34 kidnapped victims, arrested alleged kidnappers, and retrieved a cache of arms and ammunition in Benue.
The Coordinator, Defense Media Operations, John Enenche, confirmed this in a statement in Abuja on Friday.
Mr. Enenche, a major-general, said the success was achieved following a reliable intelligence report on the activities of a notorious kidnapping group operating in the village of Igbom in the Nenzev town council of the Logo Local Government Area.
He said Sector 2 and Sector 4 troops carried out a raid on a alleged kidnapper’s den in the Tomayin village of Logo on July 16, killing their ring leaders.
According to him, the soldiers engaged the criminal elements in a hot chase that led to the killing of one Zwa Ikyegh identified as the ring leader and others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.
“The successful encounter led to the rescue of 32 kidnapped victims some of whom have been in captivity for over a month.
“All the rescued kidnapped victims have been reunited with their families in different communities in Logo Local Government Area.
“Troops also recovered one AK 47 rifle, one AK 47 magazine, 6 locally made rifle, one locally-made pistol and a magazine.
“Others include 22 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 2 cartridges, 2 motorcycles and some Charms and the hideout has been equally destroyed,” he said.
Mr. Enenche said that the soldiers also responded to a distress call for another kidnapping incident at Austoma in the Mbanema town council of the Ukum Local Government Area.
He said the soldiers mobilized rapidly to the scene leading to the capture of two suspects.
The suspects were known as Sealemun and Orduem, both of whom were related to late Terugwa Igbagwa Aka Orjondu.
He added that the soldiers had seized a motorcycle used by the kidnappers for their heinous crimes.
According to him, the suspects are currently under investigation and will be handed over to the Nigerian Police for further action.
“Troops have continued to dominate the area with patrols and ambushes while normalcy has since been restored in the general area,” he said. (NAN)
