Troops Rescue Six Kidnapped Victims in Joint Operation in Taraba
JALINGO, October 4, 2025 – Troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, operating under Sector 3 of Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), have rescued six kidnapped victims, including a child, during a joint operation with the Nigeria Police in Taraba State.
The operation, carried out under the ongoing Operation LAFIYA NAKOWA, took place in the early hours of October 2, 2025, following a distress call about a kidnapping incident along the Katsina-Ala route.
According to the Army, suspected kidnappers had intercepted a Toyota Carina II vehicle traveling from Katsina-Ala in Benue State and abducted the passengers after forcing the vehicle to a halt around an abandoned checkpoint. The victims were subsequently taken into the nearby bush by the armed men.
Acting on a timely tip-off, the troops, working in concert with the Police, swiftly mobilized to the scene and conducted a coordinated search of the area. Their prompt and decisive action led to the successful rescue of six victims, comprising the driver and five passengers.
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Those rescued have been identified as Mr. Terna Gbaya (43 years), Mr. Musa Adamu (55 years), Mrs. Rose Sor (35 years), Mrs. Lydia Vyiashima (40 years), Mrs. Comfort Iyofar (60 years), and a baby. All the victims have since been reunited with their families.
The Commander, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, commended the troops and Police personnel for their professionalism, swift response, and synergy during the operation. He reaffirmed the Brigade’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property across Taraba State.
Brigadier General Uwa further called on residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations and help in tracking down criminal elements in the state.
Meanwhile, security forces have intensified search and rescue efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure that no other victims remain in captivity.
The statement was signed by Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, on October 4, 2025.