Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have successfully thwarted a kidnapping attempt along the Otukpo–Enugu Expressway in Benue State, rescuing 24 passengers traveling from Jos, Plateau State, to Ibadan, Oyo State.
Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, acting information officer for OPWS, disclosed the development in a statement on Tuesday, made available to journalists in Makurdi on Wednesday.
According to Lt. Zubairu, the incident occurred on Monday, December 22, 2025, at around 10:00 pm, following a distress call that prompted troops on routine patrol to mobilize to the Amoda axis in Ohimini Local Government Area.
“The armed criminals emerged from the bush and briefly took control of an existing checkpoint,” the statement read. “They stopped two 18-seater commercial buses traveling from Jos to Ibadan and attempted to abduct all passengers. However, the timely intervention of Operation WHIRL STROKE troops led to a firefight that forced the kidnappers to abandon their victims and flee into the bush.”
Lt. Zubairu said that 15 passengers were immediately rescued and handed over to the Nigerian Police Division in Otukpo, while six adults and four minors were initially reported missing. Subsequent operations by security personnel led to the full rescue of the remaining passengers, bringing the total rescued to 24.
The statement emphasized that the swift action of OPWS troops prevented potential tragedy and highlighted the ongoing commitment of the military to safeguarding travelers along high-risk routes in Benue State.
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