Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE, have arrested a suspected kidnapper and rescued an abducted victim in separate operations in Nasarawa and Benue states.

The operations, conducted on September 4 and 6, 2026, were carried out as part of sustained intelligence-led efforts to disrupt criminal activities across the Joint Operations Area.

In Nasarawa State, troops of Sector 2, Operation WHIRL STROKE, arrested a suspected kidnapper identified as Adamu Lamu at Agyaragu on September 4.

The arrest followed the escape of a 31-year-old kidnapping victim, Nehemiah Elisha, who reportedly sighted one of his alleged abductors at a market in Agyaragu after regaining his freedom.

Elisha immediately alerted troops deployed in the area, prompting the soldiers to respond swiftly and apprehend the suspect.

The suspect has since been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and possible prosecution.

In a separate operation in Benue State on September 6, troops of the Chief of Army Staff Intervention Battalion XI, deployed at Torkula, rescued an abducted man along the Umene–Torkula Road.

The troops were conducting a patrol to dominate the area and prevent criminal activities when they discovered the victim, identified as Vincent Nyado, tied and abandoned by the roadside.

According to preliminary information, Nyado had allegedly been abducted by suspected terrorists.

The suspects reportedly fled into the surrounding bushes after sighting the approaching troops, abandoning their victim.

The rescued man was subsequently secured by the troops, while efforts are ongoing to obtain further information from him and identify the fleeing suspects.

The task force said the operations underscored its determination to sustain pressure on criminal elements operating across the North-Central region and Taraba State.

“Operation WHIRL STROKE remains resolute in its mandate to stem the rising tide of violence across the North-Central region and Taraba State,” the Acting Media Information Officer, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, said in a statement on Sunday.

He said troops had been directed to maintain the momentum of intelligence-led operations, remain vigilant and strengthen cooperation with other security agencies and local communities.

“Members of the public are equally encouraged to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies, as such cooperation remains critical to defeating criminal elements and creating a safer environment for all,” he added.