By Sabiu Abdullahi
Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke, have killed a suspected kidnapper and apprehended two others in separate operations across Benue State.
The acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lt Ahmad Zubairu, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists on Sunday.
According to Zubairu, troops received credible intelligence on August 19, 2026, about a suspected bandit leader and his associates who were operating an illegal checkpoint along the Jortar-Atume axis.
He said the troops moved to the location and engaged the suspects in a gun battle.
The statement read, “On arrival, the troops made contact with the criminals, resulting in a firefight during which one suspected bandit, identified by the nickname ‘Cool Nigga’, was neutralised.
“The other members of the group fled in disarray, abandoning a motorcycle, which was recovered by the troops.”
Zubairu further disclosed that troops arrested two suspected kidnappers during another operation at Gou in Logo Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects were identified as Terhile Iyo, 44, and Vershima Emmanuel, 32.
According to the military, the two men confessed to an alleged attempt to abduct a resident of Gou village, Mrs Balame Nyikwagh.
Items recovered from the suspects included a locally manufactured pistol, one cartridge, five TECNO torchlight phones, a MoniePoint ATM card, an identity card, several SIM cards and charms.
Zubairu said the suspects remained in military custody while investigations continued.
Operation Whirl Stroke also reassured residents across its operational areas in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states of its commitment to protecting lives and property.
The force called on residents to continue to provide security agencies with timely and credible information that could assist efforts to combat criminal activities in the region.
