Troops, Hunters Rescue Kidnap Victim Along Benue-Nasarawa Border in Joint Operation

Reported by: Puis Althea | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.

Troops of Sector 1, Operation Whirl Stroke, in collaboration with local hunters, have rescued a kidnapped victim during a security operation along the Benue–Nasarawa border, the Nigerian Army has confirmed. The rescue operation was carried out at approximately 7:31 a.m. on July 17, 2026, by troops deployed at the Forward Operating Base in Torkula, according to a statement shared on the Army's official X handle. The victim was rescued at Ornan, a border community between Benue and Nasarawa states, following sustained pressure mounted by the security team on suspected kidnappers operating in the area. The military said the intensified security operations forced the abductors to abandon the victim, leading to the successful rescue.

The rescued victim was immediately evacuated to a medical facility for assessment and treatment. Troops have continued to intensify clearance operations and maintain a strong presence across vulnerable communities along the Benue–Nasarawa border to deny criminal elements freedom of movement and enhance the safety of residents. The operation underscores ongoing efforts by Operation Whirl Stroke and other security agencies to combat kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes in the North-Central region, where cross-border criminal activities have remained a major security concern. Military authorities have assured residents that troops will continue to dominate the area and respond swiftly to any security threats.

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