Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Taraba State, Nigeria — Troops of the 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, operating under Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke, have successfully foiled a kidnapping attempt and rescued three abducted youths following a swift, intelligence-driven operation in Sangai Village, Bachama Ward of Karim Lamido Local Government Area in Taraba State.
The operation was carried out on 5 January 2026 after soldiers deployed at Jeb Jeb town received credible intelligence pointing to the presence of suspected kidnappers and their captives in the area. Acting immediately on the information, the troops mobilised and advanced towards the suspects’ location, trailing them as they attempted to move their victims towards the border area between Taraba and Plateau States.
On sighting the advancing troops, the kidnappers reportedly panicked and abandoned their captives before fleeing into the surrounding terrain. The rapid response by the soldiers ensured that the victims were rescued unharmed and without any exchange of gunfire or payment of ransom, marking another operational success in the ongoing campaign against kidnapping and violent crime in the region.
The rescued victims were identified as Nimron Umar, aged 25, Abafaras Ibrahim, aged 20, and Habila Yunusa, aged 23. They were taken into military custody, where they are receiving medical attention and undergoing routine documentation before being reunited with their families. Military sources confirmed that the victims were in stable condition and showed no signs of serious injury.
Commending the troops for their professionalism and swift action, the Commander of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, described the operation as a testament to the effectiveness of timely intelligence and operational readiness. He reaffirmed the brigade’s commitment to sustaining aggressive and proactive operations across Taraba State to deny criminal elements freedom of action and to restore lasting peace and security.
Brigadier Uwa also emphasised the critical role of community cooperation in achieving such successes, urging residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information. According to him, public vigilance and collaboration remain essential to disrupting criminal networks and preventing further abductions.
Operation Whirl Stroke officials noted that the rescue forms part of broader efforts to curb kidnapping and other forms of criminality along the Taraba–Plateau axis, an area that has witnessed repeated security challenges in recent years. They stressed that sustained pressure on criminal groups, combined with community engagement, is gradually weakening the operational capacity of kidnappers in the region.
Residents of Sangai Village and neighbouring communities have welcomed the development, expressing relief over the safe rescue of the victims and calling for continued military presence to deter future attacks. Security analysts say the operation sends a strong signal that security forces are increasingly capable of responding swiftly to threats, reinforcing public confidence and reducing the influence of criminal gangs operating in rural areas.
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