Nigerian Army Rescues 13 Kidnap Victims in Benue
In a successful operation, Nigerian Army troops deployed under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have rescued 13 passengers abducted from a Benue Links commercial bus along the Makurdi–Otukpo road on April 15, 2026. The rescue took place in the early hours of Sunday in a forest area of Okete Ward, Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to an operational report provided to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, the troops conducted a search-and-rescue mission that led to the recovery of the victims. Those rescued include Hycent Oko (56), Elaiguli Joshua (25), Orili Raphael (29), Sunday Augustine (18), Emmanuel Elaicha (21), Gbile Nguyor Daniel (18), Ukacha Tersoo (18), Nyikwagh Aoridakator (22), Iornav Ngukuhan (18), Nyikwagh Benjamin (18), Buker Agatha (19), Paul Wende (29), and Akor Jessica (19).
The rescued passengers were immediately evacuated to the General Hospital in Otukpo, where they are receiving medical attention, including treatment for injuries sustained during their captivity. The report also noted that three of the 17 originally abducted passengers had earlier escaped and safely reunited with their families. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining victims still in captivity.
Among the abducted were eight individuals preparing for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, underscoring the broader impact of the incident on education and livelihoods in the region.
The operation highlights the Nigerian military’s continued efforts to combat kidnapping and banditry in Benue State and surrounding areas. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to securing lives and property and urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
This incident is part of a wider pattern of abductions targeting commuters on major highways in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where insecurity has disrupted daily life and economic activities.
