Soldiers foil kidnap attempt, rescue 24 passengers on Otukpo–Enugu expressway
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke successfully foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Otukpo–Enugu expressway in Benue State, rescuing 24 passengers travelling from Jos to Ibadan in the process.
Timely intervention prevents mass abduction
The incident occurred on 22 December 2025 at around 10:00 pm, when armed assailants briefly occupied a checkpoint along the Amoda axis in Ohimini Local Government Area.
According to Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, acting information officer of OPWS, the criminals stopped two 18-seater commercial buses and attempted to abduct all passengers.
Prompt action by the troops led to a firefight, forcing the kidnappers to abandon the victims and flee into the bush.
Initially, 15 passengers were rescued and handed over to the Otukpo Police Division, while six adults and four minors were reported missing.
Continued search and security commitment
Subsequent operations led to the rescue of the remaining five adults and all four minors, who are now in police custody, while search efforts continue for the remaining missing passenger.
Major General Moses Gara, Force Commander of OPWS, praised the soldiers for their swift response and reaffirmed the army’s commitment to protecting lives and property across Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba states.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant, promote peace, and uphold values of love, humility, and tolerance throughout the festive season.
The successful rescue highlights OPWS’s ongoing efforts in combating banditry and securing transportation routes in the region.
