Operation Whirl Stroke rescue operation foils kidnapping attempt and frees passengers on the Otukpo–Enugu expressway in Benue State
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS, on Monday night foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Otukpo–Enugu expressway in Benue State, rescuing passengers travelling in two commercial buses.
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The incident occurred at about 10:00 pm on December 22, 2025, after troops responded to a distress call at the Amoda axis of Ohimini Local Government Area, according to the OPWS Acting Information Officer, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu.
Lieutenant Zubairu disclosed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday and made available to journalists in Makurdi early Wednesday.
He said armed criminals emerged from the bush, briefly occupied an existing checkpoint and stopped two 18-seater buses travelling from Jos, Plateau State, to Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to the statement, the assailants attempted to abduct all passengers before troops on routine patrol arrived at the scene.
The timely intervention triggered a firefight, forcing the kidnappers to abandon their victims and flee into the bush.
The Operation Whirl Stroke rescue initially secured 15 passengers, who were handed over to the Nigeria Police Division in Otukpo.
Lieutenant Zubairu said six adults and four minors were initially unaccounted for after the encounter.
He added that follow-up operations led to the rescue of five additional adults and all four minors, who are now in the custody of the Police Area Command, Otukpo.
Search efforts are ongoing to locate one remaining missing passenger, he said.
The Force Commander, Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their swift response and professionalism.
Major General Gara reaffirmed the force’s commitment to protecting lives and property across its areas of responsibility in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba states through sustained offensive operations and intelligence-led patrols.
He also extended Yuletide greetings to Christian faithful within the operational areas, praying for peace, mercy, and joy during the festive season.
The force commander urged residents to remain united, shun violence, and uphold values of love, tolerance, and compassion.
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have recorded several breakthroughs in recent months in efforts to curb banditry across the three states.
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In November, OPWS operatives arrested three suspected armed criminals in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.
