Three kidnapping victims were freed on Wednesday after an operation by the Nigerian Army's 6 Brigade and Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke led to the recovery of eight dead in Taraba State.
This was revealed by the Nigerian Army in a statement that was shared on its official X account on Thursday.
The operation, which was headed by Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa, the Commander, was carried out in reaction to an attack on an 18-seater bus along Maraban-Baisa in the Donga Local Government Area, which caused 15 passengers—including a baby—to disappear.
Part of the statement said, "An attack on an 18-seater bus at Gamkwe Village along Maraban-Baisa in Donga Local Government Area was one of the significant incidents that drove the military response, resulting in the disappearance of 15 people, including a baby.
Due to this occurrence, a major local road was blocked. The military were able to remove the roadblock and completely investigate the nearby villages of Gankwe, Aakar, Gidan Adamu, and Magudu through strict patrols and search operations. In the end, eight bodies—including that of a missing baby—were found.
Furthermore, the army quickly mobilised to the area after hearing of the presence of armed militias around Sanso the village in the Donga Local Government Area.
It was discovered that the militia members had crossed the River Donga in a wooden canoe from Anu village to Sanso before launching their horrific attack.
The militants kidnapped multiple people and seized expensive goods, including motorcycles.
"In response, the military launched a chase operation, which led to the successful recovery of four motorcycles and a sizable amount of grains, as well as the rescue of three female abduction victims. The armed militias in the area were being disrupted by the military forces as well.
The statement went on to say that Chairman of the Donga Local Government Area, Ezra Voka, guaranteed the military of continuing and timely information and intelligence support while also praising the Commander for his quick responses and efforts to bring peace back to the villages.
According to PUNCH, on Tuesday, troops from Joint Task Force Operation Hadarin Daji foiled an attempt to kidnap ten individuals in Tsafe town, Zamfara State.
Also, it stated in January that 32 kidnap victims were released by Nigerian Army forces during a search and rescue mission in Katsina State, and two terrorist suspects were eliminated.
