Abuja: The Nigerian Army troops under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have successfully rescued 13 kidnapped passengers from a Benue Links commercial bus. These passengers were abducted along the Makurdi-Otukpo road on April 15.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the operational report revealed that the troops conducted search-and-rescue operations and recovered the victims in the early hours of Sunday from a forest area in Okete Ward, Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue. The rescued individuals include Hycent Oko (56), Elaiguli Joshua (25), Orili Raphael (29), Sunday Augustine (18), Emmanuel Elaicha (21), Gbile Nguyor Daniel (18), Ukacha Tersoo (18), and Nyikwagh Aoridakator (22). Additional rescued passengers are Iornav Ngukuhan (18), Nyikwagh Benjamin (18), Buker Agatha (19), Paul Wende (29), and Akor Jessica (19).
The report confirmed that the victims were immediately taken to the General Hospital, Otukpo, for medical attention, including treatment for injuries sustained during their captivity. The operation also highlighted that three of the 17 abducted passengers previously escaped and safely reunited with their families. Efforts are currently ongoing to rescue the remaining victims still held captive.
It was noted that eight of the abducted passengers were candidates preparing for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination.