By Aloysius Umalo
Troops belonging to the 401 Special Forces Brigade/Sector 1 OPWS successfully rescued 8 passengers from the custody of kidnappers in Benue State North Central Nigeria.
The passengers were rescued from heavily armed bandits at Akaa - Akundo settlement along Zaki - Biam / Wukari road in Ukum Local Government Area on Wednesday night, 17th October, 2024 at about 7:30pm by military joint operations.
The rescued victims included Mr. Oliver Enze, Mr. Obi Valentine, Nasuru Abubarka, Evangelist John Udhemuburu, Bulus Bukar, Samuel Chukwudi, Joseph Ejeh, and Alex Okafor.
Mr. Oliver Enze, a driver with Taraba Express International Transport Company, recounted the harrowing experience of being stopped at a fake army checkpoint where they were robbed of cash and valuable items.
The passengers expressed gratitude to the military for their swift intervention and called for permanent solutions to prevent such incidents in the future by establishing a military barracks in the area.
This incident comes shortly after a previous rescue operation in the same region by the 401 Special Forces Brigade/Sector 1 OPWS.
Brigadier General A. Rabiu, Commander of the 401 Special Forces Brigade/Sector 1 OPWS, confirmed the incident and affirmed the commitment of the military to combat criminal activities in Benue State.
