Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) troops have launched a concerted onslaught throughout sections of Taraba and Benue States, recovering a cache of weapons and ammunition and saving 11 abducted victims.  

According to a reliable military source who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Sector I Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) troops carried out the audacious operation on Saturday and Sunday.  

The Commander, Col. KO Bukoye, commanded the operation, he added, with Sector III in Gindin Mangoro, Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba, performing blocking maneuvers and the Air Component providing aerial assistance.  

The source claims that the simultaneous attack targeted criminal hideouts in the Benue local government's Tse-Ahur and Chito general regions.

“The operation, which demonstrated strategic joint-force coordination, resulted in a successful engagement with suspected kidnappers.

“Upon contact, the troops overwhelmed the adversaries with superior firepower, leading to the arrest of two suspects while others fled, abandoning both captives and weapons.

“A follow-up search-and-rescue mission led to the recovery of 11 hostages, comprising four women and seven men. All victims received medical attention and are being processed for reunification with their families.

“Items recovered from the criminal enclave included four FN rifles, three G3 rifles, four AK-47 rifles, one PKT machine gun, one locally fabricated dane gun, and multiple magazines and rounds of various calibres.