By Sule Wakili
In a display of resilience and swift action to ensure public safety, the gallant troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army / Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) successfully apprehended 12 suspected kidnappers and recovered 14 motorcycles, a locally fabricated pistol, and two bags of Indian hemp during operations in Taraba State.
The Acting Assistant Director of 6 Brigade Army Public Relations, Captain Olubodude Oni, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Jalingo. The statement detailed the operation, which was initiated following a distress call from residents of Chachanji village about the abduction of two individuals by a group of approximately 10 armed men on motorcycles on November 7, 2024.
The statement reads in parts: “In response, the troops launched a rapid operation aimed at rescuing the victims and intercepting the kidnappers. Upon encountering the armed group, the superior firepower of the troops forced the kidnappers to retreat deep into the bush, leaving behind their locally fabricated pistol and two bags of Indian hemp. According to the statement, the troops conducted thorough searches in the area, successfully preventing further criminal activity and disrupting the kidnappers’ operations.
“Following this, on November 9, 2024, troops carried out a follow-up operation based on credible intelligence, leading to the arrest of 12 suspects and the seizure of 14 motorcycles at a local drinking establishment in Mbhakyir village, near Agu Center.
“During an intensive investigation, the arrested suspects admitted to being part of the kidnapping operation and identified their leader as Veior John Gata, a notorious figure on the wanted list of security agencies for orchestrating criminal activities in parts of southern Taraba and Benue states.
“The suspects revealed that Veior was present with them at Agu Center on November 5, 2024, before the killings of two locals and the abduction of two individuals on November 6 and 7, respectively, in the Chachanji area.
“They further explained that Veior was dissatisfied with the locals in Chachanji and aimed to instill fear in both buyers and sellers to close down the market,” it explained. While commending the residents for their cooperation, the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army encouraged them to continue providing timely and credible information to support security operations.
The Brigade remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all communities within its operational area and advises the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities to security agencies.