Troops Disrupt Kidnappers’ Roadblock, Neutralise Suspect, Arrest Two in Benue
Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), have disrupted a suspected kidnappers’ roadblock, neutralised one suspected bandit and arrested two suspected kidnappers in separate operations across Benue State.
The operations, conducted on August 19, 2026, followed credible intelligence on the activities of a suspected bandit kingpin and his associates who were reportedly operating an illegal checkpoint along the Jortar–Atume axis.
Acting swiftly on the intelligence, OPWS troops mobilised to the area and made contact with the suspected criminals, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
During the encounter, one suspected bandit, identified by the nickname “Cool Nigga”, was neutralised, while other members of the group fled the scene in disarray.
The troops subsequently recovered a motorcycle abandoned by the fleeing suspects.
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In a separate operation carried out the same day in Logo Local Government Area, troops acting on credible information arrested two suspected kidnappers at Gou Village.
The suspects were identified as 44-year-old Terhile Iyo and 32-year-old Vershima Emmanuel.
According to the task force, preliminary investigation indicated that the suspects had confessed to an attempt to kidnap Mrs Balame Nyikwagh, a resident of Gou Village.
Items recovered from the suspects included one locally made pistol, one cartridge, five Tecno torchlight mobile phones, a MoniePoint ATM card, an identity card, multiple SIM cards and charms.
The suspects are currently in military custody for further investigation and exploitation.
The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across its area of responsibility and urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations against criminal elements.
The force also called on law-abiding citizens to remain vigilant and cooperate with security personnel in the collective effort to safeguard communities across Benue State.
By PRNigeria
