Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Whirl Stroke have arrested a suspected kidnapper during a joint intelligence-led operation with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), recovering ₦200,000 allegedly demanded as ransom from a female victim.
The suspect, identified as Mukaila Iliyasu, was arrested on October 29, 2026, following intelligence provided by the DSS concerning threats allegedly made against an adult female resident.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Whirl Stroke, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, the suspect had allegedly demanded ₦200,000 from the woman, threatening to abduct her if she failed to pay the money.
Following the report, troops of Sector 2, Operation Whirl Stroke, and DSS operatives launched a coordinated anti-kidnapping operation to apprehend the suspect.
In a sting operation, a soldier, acting undercover, reportedly delivered the demanded money to the suspect, leading to his arrest while collecting the alleged ransom.
The suspect was subsequently handed over to the DSS for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke and General Officer Commanding (GOC), 5 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Moses Kolo Gara, commended the troops and DSS operatives for their professionalism, bravery and effective collaboration.
He urged the security personnel to sustain their intelligence-sharing efforts and operational cooperation to combat kidnapping and other security threats within the joint operations area.
