Enugu–Otukpo kidnapping rescue sees three passengers freed as troops of Operation Whirl Stroke foil abduction attempt and recover evidence

Troops of Sector 1, Operation Whirl Stroke have successfully thwarted a kidnapping attempt along the Enugu–Otukpo Road, rescuing three passengers from suspected abductors.

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The development was confirmed on Thursday by Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force, in a statement detailing the operation.

According to the statement, the incident occurred on February 25, 2026, when troops deployed at the Forward Operation Base in Otukpo received intelligence that an 18-seater Benue Links bus, registration TYK 221 YK carrying four adults and a minor had been seized by suspected kidnappers.

“Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the troops mobilised to the scene and trailed the kidnappers along their withdrawal route,” the statement read.

The prompt action reportedly forced the criminals to abandon three victims. No direct contact occurred during the pursuit, though troops recovered a mobile phone believed to belong to the kidnappers.

The Force Commander commended the troops for their “resilience, vigilance, and operational efficiency in preventing what could have escalated into a major security breach.”

Motorists were also advised to stay alert, observe unusual absence of vehicular movement over stretches of road, and report suspicious activities to the nearest security outpost.

Also read: Kebbi Police Arrest Three in Kidnapping Crackdown

The rescue comes less than a week after Joint Task Force South-East saved five travellers following a distress call regarding a suspected attack along the 9th Mile axis in Enugu, demonstrating continued military vigilance in the southeast region.