Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have successfully rescued two kidnapped employees of Unity Bank in Gborgbor Village, Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The victims, identified as Mr. Marwan Abubakar, 40, and Mr. Leng’en Cakop, 37, were reportedly abducted in Zaki-Biam, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, confirmed that the rescue followed actionable intelligence pointing to the presence of terrorists and their captives in the area.
“Acting swiftly on the intelligence, OPWS troops conducted an aggressive search and rescue mission aimed at locating the terrorists and safely recovering the victims. Troops thoroughly searched suspected houses and locations within Gborgbor Village but initially found nothing unusual. Further intelligence indicated the kidnappers and their victims remained in the area,” he said in a communique on Sunday.
Additional forces, led by the Sub-Sector Commander, were deployed to reinforce the search. The operation expanded to neighbouring settlements, including Tse Anaka, applying pressure on the kidnappers.
“The terrorists were forced to abandon their captives and flee. The victims were safely recovered, and a motorcycle suspected to have been used by the criminals was recovered along the route to Tse Anaka Village,” Zubairu added.
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Maj. Gen. Moses Gara, Force Commander of OPWS, commended the troops for their professionalism and rapid response, noting that the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-driven strategies in tackling kidnapping and terrorist activities.
Gara also reassured residents of Taraba and surrounding states of the Joint Task Force’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding lives and property, urging the public to provide timely and credible information to help dismantle criminal networks in the region.