Army Arrest Bandit Leader’s Aides, Rescues 14 Hostages in Plateau, Taraba, Benue Operations

Army Arrest Bandit Leader’s Aides, Rescues 14 Hostages in Plateau, Taraba, Benue Operations

Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 14 kidnapped victims and arrested key associates of a fleeing bandit leader during coordinated operations across Plateau, Taraba and Benue states.

In the Plateau–Taraba axis, troops conducting clearance operations under Operation Wutan Daji rescued 12 kidnapped victims and apprehended aides linked to a notorious bandit kingpin.

A military source said the operations, carried out between April 15 and 16, involved troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade in collaboration with a tactical team from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The offensives targeted the Dajin Madam and Kumbodoro forest corridor spanning parts of Plateau and Taraba states. The source said sustained pressure from the troops forced the captors to abandon their victims, who subsequently escaped.

The rescued victims were taken into custody for profiling before being relocated to an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) facility in Fukuk.

During the operation, troops also recovered a Dane gun, a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle and a power bank.

In a separate operation in Benue State, troops of Sector 1 under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) rescued two kidnapped victims in Ukum Local Government Area.

Security sources said the rescue followed a distress call received at about 3:50 a.m. on April 15 in Kyado area. Troops responded swiftly, forcing the kidnappers to flee and abandon their victims.

The victims were safely rescued and reunited with their families, while follow-up operations are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects.

Military authorities said the operations underscore ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and enhance security across affected regions.

By TopHeadlines