Troops kill suspected kidnapper, arrest two others in Benue operations

Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), have disrupted a suspected kidnappers’ roadblock, neutralised one suspect and arrested two others in separate operations across Benue State.

The operations, conducted on August 19, 2026, followed credible intelligence on the activities of suspected bandits and kidnappers operating in parts of the state.

According to a statement by the Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters JTF Operation WHIRL STROKE, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, troops first moved against a suspected bandit kingpin and his associates operating an illegal checkpoint along the Jortar–Atume axis.

The troops encountered the group at the location, leading to a gun battle in which one suspected bandit, identified by the nickname “Cool Nigga”, was killed.

Other members of the group reportedly fled during the confrontation, abandoning a motorcycle that was subsequently recovered by the troops.

In a separate operation in Logo Local Government Area, troops acting on information from a credible source arrested two suspected kidnappers at Gou Village.

The suspects were identified as 44-year-old Terhile Iyo and 32-year-old Vershima Emmanuel.

The military said the suspects allegedly confessed to attempting to kidnap Mrs Balame Nyikwagh, a resident of Gou Village.

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Items recovered from the suspects included a locally made pistol, one cartridge, five Tecno torchlight phones, a MoniePoint ATM card, an identity card, multiple SIM cards and charms.

The suspects remain in military custody for further investigation and intelligence exploitation.

The Joint Task Force said the operations demonstrate its continued efforts to disrupt criminal activities and deny armed groups freedom of movement across Benue State.

The force reassured residents of its commitment to protecting lives and property, while urging members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.

The latest operations come amid continuing security concerns in Benue and other parts of the North-Central region, where kidnapping, banditry and attacks on rural communities have remained major challenges.

The military urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies to help prevent further attacks and protect vulnerable communities.