By Nkechi Eze
Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE, have engaged suspected kidnappers in a gun battle and rescued two victims during a fighting patrol along the Naka–Ahume Road in Benue State.
The Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, disclosed this in an official statement, noting that the incident occurred on October 24, 2026, as troops were conducting patrols along the route.
According to the statement, the troops encountered the suspected kidnappers, who were armed with dangerous weapons and attempting to abduct motorists and other road users.
The troops engaged the suspects in a firefight, forcing them to abandon their captives and flee. The soldiers subsequently pursued the fleeing suspects, but no further contact was made.
One of the rescued victims, Mrs Mngunengen Ihom, 36, from Ahume, sustained machete wounds during the incident and was evacuated to Naka General Hospital for medical attention.
Following the successful rescue, the Force Commander, Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, and General Officer Commanding, 5 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Moses Gara, charged troops to sustain aggressive, intelligence-led operations against armed elements threatening the safety of residents within the Joint Operations Area.
Gara also urged personnel to strengthen human intelligence gathering to improve early warning mechanisms and ensure prompt responses to emerging security threats.
He reassured residents of the task force’s commitment to restoring peace and security in the area, while encouraging members of the public to provide credible and timely information to security agencies to support ongoing operations.
The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by the task force to tackle kidnapping and other security threats and improve the safety of residents and road users across its area of responsibility.
