Troops rescue two kidnapped victims in Benue

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 1 under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have rescued two kidnapped victims in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

Security sources said the incident occurred at about 3:50 a.m. on April 15 when troops deployed at Kyado responded to a distress call on kidnapping activities in the area.

According to the sources, the troops swiftly moved to the scene, prompting the kidnappers to abandon their victims and flee.

The sources added that the troops successfully rescued the two victims and reunited them with their families.

Security operations have been intensified in the area to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further incidents.

Troops rescue two kidnapped victims in Benue

Troops arrest bandit kingpin’s Deputy, wife in Gombe following intelligence operation

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops have arrested the second-in-command to a notorious bandit kingpin, Kachalla Auta, alongside his wife in Gombe State following an intelligence-led tracking operation across multiple locations.

Sources said the suspects, identified as Bala, popularly known as “Pakapaka,” and his wife, Zulaha Bala, were intercepted after fleeing from Dajin Madam Forest in Plateau State.

According to the sources, the arrests were the result of sustained intelligence surveillance and coordinated ground tracking by security operatives targeting fleeing members of the criminal network.

The suspects are currently in custody and undergoing interrogation to determine their level of involvement in the group’s activities and possible connections with other cells operating within and outside the region.

In a related development, troops conducted follow-up patrols around Bayar village in the Duguri axis after intelligence indicated that the main bandit kingpin had fled into the area.

However, no contact was made during the search operation.

Security sources said troops have continued to dominate the general area with sustained patrols aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of movement and disrupting their operational networks across Plateau, Taraba, and adjoining states.

Troops arrest bandit kingpin’s Deputy, wife in Gombe following intelligence operation

Troops rescue 12 kidnapped victims, arrest kingpin’s aides in Plateau–Taraba forest operations

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops conducting ongoing clearance operations under Operation Wutan Daji have rescued 12 kidnapped victims and arrested key associates of a fleeing bandit leader during coordinated offensives across forested areas linking Plateau and Taraba States.

A military source said the operations, carried out on April 15 and 16, involved troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade in conjunction with an Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) tactical team.

According to the source, the operations were conducted in the Dajin Madam and Kumbodoro forest axis, spanning parts of Plateau and Taraba States.

The source said the sustained offensive led to the recovery of 12 kidnapped victims who escaped from their captors during the pressure mounted by troops.

The victims were subsequently taken into custody for profiling before being moved to an Internally Displaced Persons facility in Fukuk.

Troops also recovered a Dane gun, a fabricated AK-47 rifle and a power bank during the operation.

Troops rescue 12 kidnapped victims, arrest kingpin’s aides in Plateau–Taraba forest operations