Military Forces Successfully Rescue Two Bank Employees Abducted in Taraba

Troops from the Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have successfully freed two individuals who were kidnapped in Gborgbor Village, located within Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, spokesperson for OPWS, announced on Sunday that the rescue operation was initiated in the early hours of Friday, relying on credible intelligence indicating that armed kidnappers were holding their captives in the area.

Zubairu explained that, following the intelligence report, the troops commenced a coordinated search of suspected hideouts in Gborgbor village. However, in the initial stages, no evidence of the victims or their captors was found.

Further intelligence later pointed out that the kidnappers were still operating within the vicinity, leading to the deployment of additional troops, under the leadership of the sub-sector commander, to support the ongoing operation.

The search was subsequently broadened to include neighboring settlements, notably Tse Anaka village, as the forces intensified their efforts to locate the hostages.

According to Zubairu, the relentless pressure from the advancing soldiers caused the kidnappers to abandon their hostages and make a hasty escape.

The two rescued individuals have been identified as Marwan Abubakar, aged 40, and Leng’en Cakop, 37, both of whom are employees of Unity Bank situated in Zaki-Biam, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

While the military did not directly engage the fleeing kidnappers, they managed to recover a motorcycle believed to have been utilized by the abductors along the route leading to Tse Anaka village.

Major General Moses Gara, the Force Commander of OPWS, commended the troops for their prompt and professional response during the mission. He remarked that the success of the operation underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-driven initiatives in addressing kidnapping and other criminal activities in the operational region.

Gara reassured residents of Benue, Taraba, and the adjoining states of the task force’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and properties. He encouraged the public to continue providing timely and trustworthy information to help security agencies.