Soldiers kill suspected kidnapper in Benue operation

Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE, have killed a suspected kidnapper and recovered an AK-47 rifle during an operation in Benue State.

The Force said the operation was carried out on Thursday following credible intelligence on suspected kidnapping activities at Jotar Village near the Quarantine Checkpoint.

The Acting Media Information Officer of Operation WHIRL STROKE, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, in a statement on Friday, said the troops responded swiftly to the intelligence by deploying personnel from Kyado to the area.

According to the statement, the troops engaged the suspected kidnappers in a gun battle upon arrival at the location.

“During the encounter, one terrorist was neutralised, while troops recovered one AK-47 rifle and two empty magazines from the scene,” the statement said.

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It added that preliminary indicators suggested the deceased suspect might have been a member of the gang that attacked commuters on July 1, an incident in which a former Secretary to the Benue State Government sustained a gunshot injury.

The Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Moses Gara, commended the troops for their resilience and professionalism, urging them to sustain aggressive operations against criminal elements across the Joint Operations Area.

He also lauded other security agencies for their continued collaboration and intelligence sharing, describing inter-agency cooperation as critical to restoring lasting peace and security in the region.

The commander also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.

“Operation WHIRL STROKE reaffirmed its commitment to protecting law-abiding citizens and encouraged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, assuring them that all useful intelligence would be treated with utmost confidentiality and acted upon promptly,” he said.

Olugbenga Ige

Olugbenga Ige is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over nine years of professional reporting experience. He is known for his sharp eye for compelling stories and a strong instinct for identifying newsworthy developments. Over the years, Olugbenga has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.