Two abducted Benue bank workers regain freedom

Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke have successfully rescued two kidnap victims in Gborgbor Village, Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The victims, both staff members of Unity Bank, were identified as Marwan Abubakar, 40, and Leng’en Cakop, 37.

They were reportedly abducted in Zaki-Biam, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

The rescue operation followed actionable intelligence indicating the presence of terrorists and their captives in the area, the acting media information officer of OPWS, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, disclosed in a statement made on Sunday.

Acting swiftly on the intelligence, OPWS troops conducted an aggressive search and rescue mission aimed at locating the terrorists and safely recovering the victims.

“Troops thoroughly searched suspected houses and locations within Gborgbor Village but initially found nothing unusual. Further intelligence indicated the kidnappers and their victims remained in the area,” the statement partly read

Additional troops, led by the Sub-Sector Commander, were subsequently deployed to reinforce the search

The statement added that the operation extended to surrounding settlements, including Tse Anaka, putting sustained pressure on the kidnappers.

“The terrorists were forced to abandon their captives and flee. The victims were safely recovered, and a motorcycle suspected to have been used by the criminals was recovered along the route to Tse Anaka Village,” Zubairu said.

The Force Commander of OPWS, Maj. Gen. Moses Gara, commended the troops for their professionalism and swift response, noting that the operation highlighted the effectiveness of intelligence-led strategies in combating kidnapping and other terrorist activities.

Gara reassured residents of Taraba and neighbouring states of the Joint Task Force’s continued commitment to protecting lives and property.

He urged the public to support security agencies with timely and credible information to help dismantle criminal networks operating in the region.

Culled from punch