Army rescues two kidnap victims

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have rescued two kidnap sufferers after confronting suspected kidnappers alongside the Naka–Ahume Highway in Benue State, the army has mentioned.

The troops encountered the armed suspects right through a combating patrol on Saturday, 24 October, whilst the assailants have been allegedly making an attempt to abduct motorists and different highway customers.

In a commentary issued on Sunday, Ahmad Zubairu, the performing media knowledge officer of the duty pressure, mentioned the troops engaged the suspects in a gunfight, forcing them to desert their captives and flee.

He mentioned the troops pursued the fleeing suspects however didn’t make additional touch with them.

Some of the rescued sufferers, Mngunengen Ihom, 36, from Ahume, sustained machete wounds right through the incident and was once taken to Naka Common Health facility for remedy. The army didn’t expose the identification of the second one sufferer.

READ ALSO: Kidnappers kill Abuja victim after collecting N16.2m ransom, suspects arrested – Police

The Power Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Moses Gara, steered troops to maintain intelligence-led operations and give a boost to intelligence collecting to forestall assaults.

He additionally steered citizens to supply credible and well timed knowledge to safety businesses.

The rescue comes amid routine safety issues in Benue, together with assaults and kidnappings alongside roads and in rural communities.

On 13 October, gunmen kidnapped Catholic priest John Inalegwu Otache and folks alongside the Ugbokolo–Ajegbe-Awume Highway in Benue. In a commentary on 19 October, the police mentioned 8 sufferers have been rescued and two suspects arrested, however didn’t verify whether or not the priest was once amongst the ones rescued.

The most recent incident underscores proceeding issues concerning the protection of travellers on roads within the state, the place armed teams have centered motorists and different citizens.