Personnel of Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS, have successfully freed two individuals who were abducted along the Ochumekwu–Ugbobi road in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State, following a prompt reaction to an emergency alert.
Security sources told Zagazola that the incident took place around 0800 hours on May 10, 2026.
Troops from Sector 2 OPWS, stationed at Ochumekwu, quickly mobilised after receiving intelligence about ongoing kidnapping activities in the vicinity.
Upon getting to the scene, the troops verified that two civilians had already been taken by armed attackers along the road.
According to the sources, the soldiers immediately initiated a chase, tracing the escape path of the kidnappers across nearby terrain.
The pressure from the pursuing troops reportedly forced the criminals to abandon their captives and escape, resulting in the safe recovery of the victims.
Military officials stated that the rescued individuals were later handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for identification procedures and further necessary steps.
They also noted that security forces have intensified patrols and surveillance across the area to deter further incidents and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
