Troops, local hunters rescue kidnap victim in Benue–Nasarawa border operation

Troops of Sector 1, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), working in collaboration with local hunters, have rescued a kidnapped victim during a security operation along the Benue–Nasarawa border.

The Nigerian Army disclosed the successful operation in a statement shared on its official X handle, stating that the rescue mission was carried out by troops deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Torkula.

According to the Army, the operation took place at about 7:31 a.m. on July 17 in Ornan, a border community between Benue and Nasarawa states, following sustained pressure mounted on suspected kidnappers operating within the area.

The military said the intensified security operations forced the abductors to abandon the victim, leading to the successful rescue.

READ ALSO: Troops rescue nine kidnap victims, recover 56 rustled animals in Katsina 

“The rescued victim was immediately evacuated to a medical facility for assessment and treatment,” the Army stated.

It added that troops have continued to intensify clearance operations and maintain a strong presence across vulnerable communities along the Benue–Nasarawa border to deny criminal elements freedom of movement and enhance the safety of residents.

The latest operation underscores ongoing efforts by Operation Whirl Stroke and other security agencies to combat kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes in the North-Central region, where cross-border criminal activities have remained a major security concern.