Joint Task Force Rescues Five Abductees in Benue as Bandits Abandon Cache of Arms and Military Gear

Operation WHIRL STROKE rescues five kidnap victims and recovers an arms cache in Benue State. Read about the military operation in Katsina-Ala.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 14, 2026, 10:31 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Operation WHIRL STROKE

Strategic Maneuvers Force Victim Release

A coordinated military pursuit by the Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE resulted in the safe release of five kidnapped individuals in Benue State this week. According to Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, the Acting Media Information Officer for the headquarters, the rescue occurred as troops closed in on a known criminal hideout, effectively stripping the kidnappers of any tactical maneuverability. The rapid advance of the military units compelled the captors to abandon their victims to avoid direct engagement with the closing Task Force.

Identification of the Rescued Civilians

The military has confirmed the identities of the five individuals recovered during the operation. Four of the victims—Babaji Muhammad, Yamusa, Annumba Obunde, and Babangida Ibbi—were originally abducted along the volatile Tor Donga Road. The fifth victim, 54-year-old Doofan Ahula, had been seized separately along the Chede–Takun Road. All five individuals are currently being processed by military medical teams to ensure their physical well-being before being reunited with their families.

Intelligence-Led Raid on Mtam Village

In a parallel development on March 13, 2026, troops executed a rapid response mission in the Utange Council Ward following specific intelligence regarding bandit activities in Mtam Village. Although the criminal elements managed to evade capture—reportedly aided by a network of local informants who provided advance warning—the operation successfully disrupted their operational base. The Task Force remains focused on identifying the informant networks that continue to compromise tactical surprise in the Katsina-Ala region.