Troops Rescue 7 Abducted Victims in Taraba After Fierce Gun Battle
Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army and Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have rescued seven kidnapped victims during a daring counter-offensive in Taraba State.
The operation, following a violent encounter with suspected kidnappers who had abducted the victims along the Chinkai–Kente–Wukari road.
The victims, abducted on Saturday, August 3, 2025, were freed during a two-day rescue operation launched by the military on Tuesday, August 5, and Wednesday, August 6.
According to a statement signed by Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, the troops stormed criminal hideouts in the Chinkai Forest and Owedi community in Wukari Local Government Area.
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During the mission, the troops overpowered the kidnappers in a fierce exchange of gunfire, forcing them to abandon their captives and flee. Four of the victims were rescued unharmed in Chinkai Forest on August 5, while the remaining three, all women, were recovered the following day in Owedi.
The Army said the successful rescue operation underscores the effectiveness of its coordinated anti-kidnapping campaign in Taraba and surrounding areas.
Commander of 6 Brigade NA/Sector 3 OPWS, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, praised the courage and professionalism of the troops, describing the operation as a “major success” in the ongoing fight against banditry and kidnapping in the region.
He reaffirmed the Brigade’s commitment to maintaining relentless pressure on criminal elements and vowed that no hiding place would be left for kidnappers and bandits operating within Taraba State.
“The rescue of these victims is a testament to our resolve to protect lives and maintain peace across the state,” the commander stated.
The Nigerian Army urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to security agencies to enhance the effectiveness of ongoing operations.
By PRNigeria