MAKURDI, September 27, 2025 – Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have rescued two kidnapped officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, following a coordinated operation against criminal elements.

According to a statement issued by Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer at OPWS headquarters, the operation was launched on Friday after credible intelligence was received from superior authorities regarding the abduction of Immigration officers David Iorwuese and Oliver Orasuur. He explained that troops conducted a search-and-rescue mission in Tse Tembe and Adamawa Village, located within Azendeshi Council Ward of Ukum LGA, where the officers were successfully freed after the kidnappers fled.

Zubairu confirmed that the rescued officers were immediately placed in the safe custody of troops, where they are receiving medical attention and undergoing debriefing. He emphasized that the operation was executed with precision and speed, which ensured the safe recovery of the victims without further incident.

Commending the troops, OPWS Force Commander Maj.-Gen. Moses Gara highlighted their professionalism and unwavering commitment to duty, noting that the mission’s success underscores the determination of security forces to respond swiftly to distress calls, safeguard citizens, and protect farmers in order to enhance food security in Benue State and neighboring areas.

Gara further called on local communities to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies, stressing that strong collaboration between residents and security forces is essential to curbing kidnapping, banditry, and other forms of criminality in the region. GMTNewsng

Troops Kill Dozens, Nab 120 Criminals, Rescue 41 Victims in 1 week – DHQ

ABUJA, September 25, 2025 – The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops have killed dozens of terrorists, nabbed no fewer than 120 criminals and rescued 41 kidnapped victims in the last one week across theatres of operation.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, made this known at a news briefing on Thursday in Abuja.

Kangye said the operations were conducted between Sept. 14 and Sept. 22, in the North East, North West, North Central, South South and South East theatres of operation.

In the North East, he said troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised several Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, apprehended 26 terrorist collaborators and rescued three kidnapped victims.

In the North West, Kangye said the troops of Operation Fansan Yamma killed terrorists in Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi and Sokoto states, and rescued 14 kidnapped victims.

He added that a notorious terrorist, Mallam Abubakar Ahmadu, alongside six others were apprehended during the operations.

The spokesman added that troops of Operation Enduring Peace in Plateau and Kaduna States apprehended 52 criminals, killed terrorists in firefights and rescued nine kidnapped victims.

He further said troops of Operation Whirl Stroke in Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa and the FCT, killed criminals.

According to him, troops apprehended 17 others including a high-profile kidnapper, Saawuan Wuaiyolna, and rescued eight kidnapped victims.

In the South-South, Kangye said troops of Operation Delta Safe foiled oil theft worth N19.75 million, destroyed 16 illegal refining sites, arrested 19 suspects and rescued five victims.

He also said troops of Operation Udo Ka in the South-East killed several criminals, arrested six suspects, rescued three kidnapped victims and recovered weapons, vehicles and improvised explosive device materials.

Kangye commended the troops for their resilience and professionalism, and urged the public to continue supporting the military with timely and credible information. GMTNewsng

The Enugu State Police Command has firmly denied a report alleging a wave of terror and the killing of 25 persons by insurgents in the state.

A press statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, described the report as entirely false and deliberately misleading. The Command said the story was a calculated attempt to misinform the public and undermine the ongoing efforts by security agencies to maintain peace and security across Enugu State.

According to the statement, “Upon thorough review, the report was found to be baseless, containing fabricated names and incidents that never occurred in Enugu State. Furthermore, the report is speculative and lacks credibility, particularly in its use of vague terms such as ‘at least’, which have no place in factual journalism.”

The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, psc, while recognizing the media’s role in informing the public, strongly condemned the publication of what he called inaccurate, baseless, and mischievous reports capable of causing unnecessary panic.

Meanwhile, The Sun Online had reported that no fewer than 25 persons were killed by suspected insurgents in parts of Enugu State – a claim the police have now roundly dismissed.

The Command reiterated its unwavering commitment, alongside other security agencies, to tackling crime and ensuring the safety of lives and property in the state. GMTNewsng