Troops rescue three kidnap victims in Benue

Troops of Sector 1, Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), have rescued three kidnapped victims following an operation along the Ogobia-Otukpo axis of Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The rescue operation was carried out at about 8 a.m. on August 14, 2026, by troops stationed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Otukpo, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.

The development was contained in a post shared on X by security analyst Zagazola Makama on Saturday night.

According to the report, the troops were alerted to a kidnapping incident in the area and immediately moved to the scene.

“On arrival, the security personnel found a bus abandoned by the suspected kidnappers, with no passengers inside.

“The troops then launched a pursuit of the fleeing suspects.

“During the operation, the kidnappers reportedly abandoned three victims, who were rescued by the troops,” Makama wrote.

Makama also revealed that the driver of the bus was found with a gunshot wound sustained during the attack.

The rescued victims were handed over to the police for further action, while security operatives continued efforts to locate and arrest the fleeing suspects.