Personnel from the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have successfully freed two kidnapped individuals in Gborgbor Village, within the Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The rescued victims, both of whom are staff members at Unity Bank, were identified as 40-year-old Mr. Marwan Abubakar and 37-year-old Mr. Leng’en Cakop.
Reports indicate that the pair had been seized earlier in Zaki-Biam, located in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, the acting Media Information Officer for OPWS, the successful rescue was made possible by actionable intelligence regarding the location where the terrorists were holding the men.
“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,” the statement partly read.
To intensify the operation, additional forces led by the Sub-Sector Commander were brought in to expand the search to nearby settlements like Tse Anaka, keeping constant pressure on the abductors.
“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.
Maj. Gen. Moses Gara, the Force Commander of OPWS, commended the soldiers for their professional conduct and quick action, highlighting how intelligence-led missions are vital in the fight against kidnapping and terrorism.
Gara also offered reassurances to the people of Taraba and surrounding states, affirming that the Joint Task Force is fully dedicated to protecting lives and property.
Furthermore, he called on the public to continue sharing timely and reliable information to assist security forces in breaking down criminal groups in the area.
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