Operation Whirl Stroke Foils Kidnap Plot, Rescues Victims in Gborgbor Village

opeolumartinMarch 9, 2026March 9, 202603 mins

Taraba State, Nigeria — Sunday, March 7, 2026

Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) successfully rescued two kidnap victims following an intelligence-led search and rescue operation conducted in Gborgbor Village, Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State. The operation forced the kidnappers to abandon their captives and flee the area.

The mission was launched in the early hours of March 6, 2026, after credible intelligence indicated the presence of terrorists and their victims within the general vicinity. Acting swiftly, OPWS troops conducted an aggressive search operation aimed at locating the terrorists and safely recovering the victims.

During the initial phase of the operation, troops conducted thorough searches of suspected houses and locations in Gborgbor Village but found no immediate signs of the victims. Subsequent intelligence, however, confirmed that the kidnappers and their captives were still within the area.

Reinforcements, led by the Sub-Sector Commander, were deployed to intensify the search, which was extended to surrounding settlements including Tse Anaka. The sustained pressure from the advancing troops compelled the terrorists to release the victims and flee.

The rescued victims were later identified as Mr. Marwan Abubakar, 40, and Mr. Leng’en Cakop, 37, both staff members of Unity Bank from Zaki-Biam, Ukum Local Government Area, Benue State. No direct contact was made with the fleeing terrorists, though troops recovered a motorcycle suspected to have been used by them along the route toward Tse Anaka Village.

The Force Commander of OPWS, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their professionalism and swift response to actionable intelligence. He emphasized that the operation demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence-led missions in combating kidnapping and other terrorist activities within the Joint Operations Area.

Major General Gara reassured residents of Taraba and neighbouring states of the Joint Task Force’s continued commitment to protecting lives and property. He also urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information that could aid security agencies in dismantling criminal networks in the region.