Nigerian Army troops attached to the 6 Brigade have rescued a kidnapped man after an intense manhunt across border communities linking Taraba and Benue states, security officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The rescue followed days of coordinated search operations by soldiers operating under Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke, who tracked criminal movements within difficult terrain and forest routes known for kidnap activities.
Military sources said the victim was discovered in a remote bush around Dogon Gawa in Taraba State, where he had been abandoned by his captors while troops closed in on their hideouts.
The man, later identified as Ghali, was confirmed to have been abducted earlier in January alongside another victim, Simon Oluchukwu, during an attack in Gbise village in Benue State.
Their driver was reportedly killed during the incident, heightening concerns over the brutality of the gang.
After his rescue, Ghali underwent security debriefings and received medical attention before being reunited with his family, bringing relief to relatives who had feared the worst.
Reacting to the development, the Commander of 6 Brigade, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, praised the soldiers for what he described as “relentless commitment and battlefield discipline.”
“Our troops refused to give up despite the terrain and risks involved.
“This rescue reflects our resolve to dismantle criminal networks operating in the region,” Uwa said.
He added that military operations would be expanded until the remaining victim is rescued and those responsible for the abduction are brought to justice.
The army commander also appealed to residents to support security efforts by sharing credible intelligence, noting that community cooperation remains critical to ending kidnapping and other violent crimes in the area.
The latest operation, according to the military, reinforces the Nigerian Army’s determination to protect civilians and restore lasting peace across flashpoints in the North-Central region.