Troops of Sector 1 under Operation Whirl Stroke have foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Enugu–Otukpo Road, rescuing three victims from their captors.
The incident was confirmed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu.
According to the statement, the operation followed actionable intelligence received on February 25, 2026, during a night patrol by troops stationed at the Forward Operation Base in Otukpo.
The soldiers were alerted that an 18-seater Benue Links bus with registration number TYK 221 YK had been hijacked by suspected kidnappers while travelling along the highway.
The vehicle was reportedly carrying four adult passengers and a minor at the time of the attack.
Acting on the intelligence, the troops swiftly moved to the location and pursued the suspects along their escape route.
The military said the rapid response compelled the assailants to abandon three of the victims during the chase, although there was no direct exchange of fire between the troops and the fleeing suspects.
A mobile phone believed to belong to one of the kidnappers was recovered at the scene.
The Force Commander praised the troops for their alertness and operational effectiveness, describing the intervention as a decisive action that prevented a potentially serious security incident.
He also urged motorists to exercise caution while travelling, advising them to be wary of unusual gaps in traffic flow, especially along isolated stretches of road, and to promptly report suspicious movements to the nearest security formation.
The latest rescue occurred barely a week after troops of the Joint Task Force South-East successfully intervened in a separate incident along the 9th Mile axis of Enugu within the area of responsibility of the 82 Division.
In that case, the military said its personnel responded to a distress call and engaged armed elements, forcing them to abandon five captives who were subsequently rescued unhurt.