Kidnappers Abandon Victim, Flee Into Forest As Army Storm Hideout

Kidnappers in the Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State have abandoned their victim and escaped into the nearby forest after personnel of Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) stormed their hideout.

Naija News reports that the army personnel worked alongside the Benue State Civil Protection Guards to successfully rescue the kidnapped victim following a rapid response to an abduction incident.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the rescue mission was conducted around 4:00 a.m. on July 8, after troops stationed at Tor-Donga received credible intelligence about a kidnapping in the Igyudu community.

According to the sources, the combined security team quickly moved to the location.

On noticing the approaching troops, the kidnappers abandoned the victim and escaped into the nearby forest.

The rescued individual was immediately taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment.

Military sources disclosed that troops have intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further criminal activities within the area.

The rescue forms part of the ongoing operations by Operation WHIRL STROKE aimed at tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes across Benue State and neighbouring communities.

Meanwhile, suspected Boko Haram terrorists reportedly dispersed residents in the Logomani community, Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State, through sporadic gunfire before setting ablaze a police outpost, a primary healthcare centre and two classrooms.

Naija News learnt that the terrorists attacked the community late on Tuesday night shortly after launching an assault on the Forward Operating Base in Logomani, where one soldier was killed.

Confirming the attack in a statement on Thursday, the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North-East Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni said two gun trucks and some combat enablers were damaged during the engagement.

Goni said troops of Operation Hadin Kai contained the attack deployed at the Forward Operating Base in Logomani under Sector One.

According to him, the situation at the Forward Operating Base in Logomani remains firmly under the control of Operation Hadin Kai troops, with reinforcements deployed, exploitation operations ongoing, and additional measures being implemented to strengthen the location’s defensive resilience further.

The statement read, “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Logomani in Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State under Sector One successfully contained a coordinated attack by ISWAP terrorists.

“Although the insurgents briefly exploited a section of the base’s defensive perimeter during the intense firefight, the troops rapidly regrouped, mounted a determined counter-offensive, and decisively expelled the attackers, inflicting significant casualties and forcing the surviving terrorists to flee with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.

“Regrettably, one gallant soldier paid the supreme price, while two gun trucks and some combat enablers sustained damage during the engagement.”

A resident in an interview with Punch described the terrorists as sophisticated, as they overpowered the army during the attack.

The source said, “We all left the community during the attack. The terrorists were very sophisticated. After they overpowered the Army, they entered the school and burnt down two classrooms. They also attacked a police outpost and a hospital, which they burnt down.”

Meanwhile, at the time of filing this report, the spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, has yet to issue any statement on the development.