Relief swept through Benue communities as troops of Operation Whirl Stroke successfully rescued 13 passengers abducted from a Benue Links bus—among them students heading to sit for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination.
The victims were part of 17 passengers kidnapped on April 15 along the Makurdi–Otukpo highway. With three earlier escapees, the latest operation brings the total number of those now safe to 16.
Security sources revealed that the daring rescue was carried out on April 19 by troops of Sub-Sector 1B during an intensive search-and-rescue mission in Ohimini Local Government Area.
The captives were discovered deep בתוך a forest around Okete Ward, behind the Idoma Doctors Forum building, after troops painstakingly tracked the movement of the kidnappers using actionable intelligence.
Military insiders described the operation as “precise and professional,” noting that all 13 victims were recovered unharmed.
In a twist that dispels earlier fears, authorities clarified that the attackers were not foreign bandits but local criminal elements operating within Benue State.
“The operation was executed with high professionalism. Preliminary findings show the perpetrators are local criminals—not external armed groups as widely speculated,” a source disclosed.
Among those rescued are 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 successful operation has reignited confidence in ongoing military efforts to combat kidnapping and restore safety on Nigeria’s highways, especially for vulnerable groups like students pursuing their education dreams.
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