Troops Neutralize Kidnapper, Arrest Two in Benue State

On August 19, 2026, troops from the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), conducted operations in Benue State, resulting in the death of a suspected kidnapper and the arrest of two others. Lt Ahmad Zubairu, the acting Media Information Officer for OPWS, reported that troops intercepted a suspected bandit kingpin, nicknamed ‘Cool Nigga’, at an illegal checkpoint along the Jortar-Atume axis.

A firefight ensued, leading to the neutralization of the suspect, while his associates fled, abandoning a motorcycle that was recovered by the troops. In a separate operation in Gou, Logo Local Government Area, two suspects, Terhile Iyo, 44, and Vershima Emmanuel, 32, were arrested for attempting to kidnap Mrs Balame Nyikwagh.

Recovered items included a locally made pistol, a cartridge, five TECNO torchlight phones, an ATM card, an identity card, multiple SIM cards, and charms. The suspects are currently in military custody for further investigation.