Nigerian Army troops attached to the 6 Brigade and Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have successfully rescued two people who were abducted by suspected kidnappers in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The rescue followed a fighting patrol launched after security operatives received credible intelligence about kidnapping activities around the Lande Jessi area of the council.
The operation, carried out in the early hours of Saturday, July 26, 2026, came after reports that armed criminals had attacked Tashan Musa and Barkindan Fulani communities, where they abducted two residents and made away with food supplies.
The troops responded swiftly, engaging the kidnappers and successfully securing the safe release of the victims during the operation.
Authorities said efforts are continuing to track down the fleeing suspects and strengthen security across the affected communities.
A statement issued by the Brigade’s public relations officer, Lieutenant Umar Mohammed, said that acting on credible and actionable intelligence, the troops launched targeted search-and-rescue operations across key locations within the general area, where they successfully located and rescued two kidnapped victims identified as Usman Mohammed and Usman Harusu, who had reportedly been held in captivity for about a week.
The Commander, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, Brigadier General Chukwuemeka Michael Akaliro, commended the troops for their swift response, professionalism, and resilience in the conduct of the operation.
He noted that the successful rescue was a clear demonstration of the troops’ commitment to safeguarding lives and property within the state.
The commander further stated that the operation aligns with the directive of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, to decisively eliminate all forms of criminality and restore lasting peace across the country.
He urged the troops to sustain the momentum and remain vigilant in denying criminal elements freedom of action within their area of responsibility.
Brigadier General Akaliro also reassured members of the public of the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to protecting law-abiding citizens and encouraged continued cooperation with security agencies through the provision of timely and credible information.
