By Tunji Braimoh, Abuja

Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have arrested a suspected kidnapper and recovered ₦200,000 allegedly demanded as ransom from a female victim.The arrest followed an intelligence-led operation conducted on October 29, 2026, after DSS operatives alerted the troops to an alleged kidnapping threat involving an adult female resident.The suspect, identified as Mukaila Iliyasu, was accused of threatening to abduct the woman unless she paid ₦200,000. Following the report, troops and DSS operatives immediately coordinated a joint anti-kidnapping operation to apprehend him.In a carefully executed sting operation, a soldier, acting undercover, delivered the demanded money to the suspect. He was subsequently arrested while receiving the alleged ransom, leading to the recovery of the ₦200,000.Following his arrest, the suspect was handed over to the DSS for further investigation and possible prosecution.The operation demonstrated effective intelligence gathering, operational coordination and inter-agency collaboration in the fight against kidnapping and other security threats.The Force Commander, Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, and General Officer Commanding, 5 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Moses Kolo Gara, commended the troops and DSS operatives for their professionalism, gallantry and successful execution of the operation.Gara urged the security personnel to sustain their intelligence-sharing arrangements and operational cooperation to strengthen ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and other criminal activities within the Joint Operations Area.