Benue: Troops neutralise armed suspect, arrest two alleged kidnappers

Soldiers of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have shot dead a suspected bandit and apprehended two kidnappers in separate operations in Benue State.

In a statement signed by the Acting Media Information Officer of the OPWS, Lt Ahmad Zubairu on Sunday, the operation was carried out on August 19, 2026 after intelligence was received concerning the criminal activities of suspects in the Jortar-Atume axis and Logo Local Government of Benue State.

According to Zubairu, the soldiers first acted on a suspected bandit kingpin and his associates, who were reportedly running an illegal kidnapping checkpoint in the Jortar-Atume axis of Ukum LGA.

He explained that the troops engaged the criminals in a firefight during which one suspected bandit, identified by the nickname “Cool Nigga”, was neutralised.

He noted that other members of the group reportedly fled the scene, abandoning a motorcycle, which was recovered by the troops.

The OPWS spokesman further stated that the troops, acting on credible information in a separate operation in Logo LGA, arrested two suspected kidnappers at Gou Village.

The suspects, identified as Terhile Iyo, 44, and Vershima Emmanuel, 32, reportedly confessed to an attempt to kidnap Mrs Balame Nyikwagh, a resident of Gou Village.

Zubairu listed items recovered from the suspects to include one locally made pistol, one cartridge, five Tecno torchlight phones, a MoniePoint ATM card, an identity card, multiple SIM cards and charms.

He added that the suspects remain in military custody for further investigation and exploitation.

He urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.

The statement also reaffirmed the OPWS commitment to protecting lives and property and combating criminal activities across Benue State.