Troops of the 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, under Sector 3 of Operation WHIRL STROKE, have foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Wukari–Ikyior Road in Taraba State, rescuing two victims while the suspects fled.
In a statement shared on Saturday via the Nigerian Army’s official X account, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade, said the operation followed a distress call reporting that armed criminals had blocked the road and were attacking civilians.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on January 16, 2026, when troops swiftly responded to the alert and engaged the attackers, forcing them to abandon their victims and escape.
“The victims, who were unconscious at the time of rescue, were immediately evacuated to the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari, for urgent medical attention,” the Army said.
It added that security has since been reinforced in the area, with troops intensifying patrols and surveillance to prevent further criminal activity and reassure residents and road users of a sustained military presence.
Commending the troops, the Commander of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army and Sector 3 OPWS, Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa, said their swift response and professionalism averted possible loss of lives.
He reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to proactive operations across its area of responsibility and urged residents to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing timely and credible information.
The development comes amid ongoing operations by troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE in Taraba State, following recent arrests of suspected gun runners during intelligence-led missions in the area.
