Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have rescued two bank workers who were abducted by kidnappers in Benue State.

The victims, identified as Unity Bank staff members, Mr. Marwan Abubakar, 40, and Mr. Leng’en Cakop, 37, were rescued in Gborgbor Village in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.

According to the Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, the victims were earlier kidnapped in Zaki-Biam, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

Zubairu said the rescue followed credible intelligence that terrorists and their captives were hiding in the area.

“Acting swiftly on the intelligence, OPWS troops launched a search-and-rescue operation aimed at locating the terrorists and safely recovering the victims,” he said.

He explained that the troops initially searched several houses and suspected hideouts in Gborgbor Village but found nothing suspicious. However, further intelligence later confirmed that the kidnappers and their victims were still within the vicinity.

Additional troops led by the Sub-Sector Commander were subsequently deployed to reinforce the operation, which was extended to neighbouring settlements, including Tse Anaka.

“The sustained pressure from the troops forced the terrorists to abandon their captives and flee. The victims were rescued unharmed, while a motorcycle suspected to have been used by the criminals was recovered along the route to Tse Anaka Village,” Zubairu added.

The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their professionalism and swift response.

He noted that the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-driven strategies in tackling kidnapping and other criminal activities.

Gara also reassured residents of Taraba and neighbouring states of the Joint Task Force’s continued commitment to protecting lives and property.

He urged members of the public to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information that would help dismantle criminal networks operating in the region.