Soldiers attached to Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) in Benue State on Sunday rescued eight kidnapped victims from their captor’s den.
The victims, who are said to be natives of Agasha, a rural town in Guma Local Government Area of the state, were taken hostage by their captors while they were working on their farms last Wednesday.
Spokesman to the State Governor, Nathaniel Ikyur, said the victims had spent over three days with their abductors before their fortunate rescue.
Ikyur explained that the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Lt. Col Paul Hemba (rtd), who briefed the Governor on the successful rescue operation of the victims, had noted the gallantry of troops from OPWS.
He said the troop earlier made contact with the kidnappers at Gbekyor village which led to an exchange of gunfire with the perpetrators and that they overpowered the kidnappers suspected to be herders.
He added that the superior firepower of the soldiers overwhelmed the kidnappers who fled in disarray, leaving behind the kidnapped victims.
Ikyur listed those rescued by the soldiers to include Philip Akpage, 56; Aondokula Ijah, 30; Mrs Kwadoo Takada, 60; Mrs Kwakuma Asongu, 55; Mrs Agnes Ornguze, 54; Mrs Yanguchan Tiv, 45; Mrs Kwadoo Mtomga, 45 and Mrs Mnembe Terlumum, 30.
He further disclosed that the victims have been reunited with their families.
