Troops Rescue Kidnapped Bank Workers in Taraba After Pressure on Abductors
Troops of the Joint Task Force under Operation Whirl Stroke have rescued two bank employees who were kidnapped in Benue State and taken to a hideout in Taraba State.
The victims, identified as Marwan Abubakar, 40, and Leng’en Cakop, 37, both staff of Unity Bank, were reportedly abducted in Zaki-Biam in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State before being moved across state lines to Gborgbor Village in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba.
The Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Whirl Stroke, Ahmad Zubairu, disclosed in a statement on Sunday that the rescue followed credible intelligence indicating that the kidnappers and their victims were hiding in the village.
According to him, troops immediately launched a coordinated search-and-rescue mission, combing several suspected houses and locations within Gborgbor Village during the first phase of the operation.
Although the initial search did not yield results, fresh intelligence later confirmed that the kidnappers were still within the area. This prompted the deployment of additional troops led by the Sub-Sector Commander to intensify the operation.
The search was subsequently expanded to nearby communities, including Tse Anaka, placing sustained pressure on the criminals.
Faced with the increased military presence and the risk of confrontation, the kidnappers reportedly abandoned the victims and fled the area.
Zubairu said the victims were safely recovered, while a motorcycle suspected to have been used by the criminals was found along the route leading to Tse Anaka Village.
The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Moses Gara, praised the troops for their swift and professional response.
He noted that the successful rescue demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations in tackling kidnapping and other criminal activities in the region.
Gara also reassured residents of Taraba and neighbouring communities of the Joint Task Force’s commitment to protecting lives and property, urging the public to support security agencies with timely and credible information.
