Troops attached to Sector 1 of Operation Whirl Stroke have frustrated a kidnap attempt along the Enugu–Otukpo highway, securing the freedom of three victims.
The development was made public in a statement on Thursday by the Acting Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu.
He disclosed that the breakthrough followed credible intelligence received on February 25, 2026, during a routine night patrol by troops operating from the Forward Operation Base in Otukpo.
According to him, the soldiers were alerted that an 18-seater Benue Links bus marked TYK 221 YK had been intercepted by suspected kidnappers on the highway.
The vehicle was said to be conveying four adults and a child when it was ambushed.
On receiving the information, the troops reportedly advanced to the area and tracked the suspects along their escape corridor.
The military said the swift pursuit pressured the criminals into abandoning three of their captives, though there was no direct gun duel during the operation.
Security operatives, however, recovered a mobile phone believed to have been left behind by one of the fleeing suspects.
Commending the personnel, the Force Commander lauded their alertness and professionalism, noting that their timely intervention averted what could have developed into a major security crisis.
He further cautioned road users to remain vigilant, especially on lonely stretches of highway, advising them to take note of unusual breaks in traffic movement and promptly notify the nearest security formation of any suspicious activity.
The rescue comes days after troops of the Joint Task Force South-East responded to a distress alert around the 9th Mile axis in Enugu, within the 82 Division’s area of responsibility.
In that operation, the military authorities said the troops swiftly confronted the armed men, forcing them to flee and abandon five travellers, who were rescued without injuries.
