Troops of the Joint Task Force North Central, Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), have intensified operations against kidnappers and other criminal elements across Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa States, leading to the arrest of suspected ammunition couriers and terrorist collaborators, as well as the rescue of four abducted victims, including a school principal, a National Examinations Council (NECO) official and two students.
The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement highlighting the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s ongoing military operations for the period covering 10 to 16 July 2026.
According to the statement, on 12 July 2026, troops arrested a suspected ammunition courier, Umar Shehu, along the Keffi–Abuja Road in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, recovering 60 rounds of ammunition from the suspect.
On the same day, troops also apprehended four suspected terrorist collaborators at Kabba in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
On 14 July, troops swiftly responded to a kidnapping incident at Azendachi community in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, where they engaged the fleeing assailants in a bid to rescue the victims and restore security in the area.
Also on 14 July, local hunters arrested a suspected terrorist at Idofin in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State and subsequently handed the suspect over to troops for further investigation.
In a major breakthrough on 16 July 2026, troops successfully rescued a school principal, a National Examinations Council (NECO) official, and two students who had been abducted during an attack on an examination centre in Olowa, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The Defence Headquarters said the victims regained their freedom after sustained pressure mounted by security agencies forced the kidnappers to abandon them. The rescued victims are reported to be in stable condition and are currently undergoing medical evaluation and debriefing.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining coordinated operations across the North Central region to dismantle criminal networks, secure communities and ensure that perpetrators of violent crimes are brought to justice.
