Troops of Exercise Enduring Peace III have freed seven kidnapped victims in the Igaji community of Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.
The soldiers of the 72 Battalion and 401 Brigade in a joint operation with volunteer members of the community achieved the feat after they launched a search for the victims who were abducted on October 9 while some of them were said to be going to the farm.
This was disclosed by the Security Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Joseph Har, in Makurdi yesterday, who said the rescue followed dependable intelligence earlier received about the movements of some kidnappers with victims around the Igaji general area.
Har said, “The troops in conjunction with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) swiftly responded, combed the area in search of the kidnapped victims and rescued seven persons.”
He further explained that the criminals on sighting the troops ran in disarray leaving behind the kidnapped victims due to the superior power of the troops.
The rescued victims include 19-year-old James Ebeh; Mary Ejeh, 40; Flora Alfa, 32; Mary John, 27; Ogumula Sunday, 18; Fidelis Ogumala, 55; and Stephen Onihi, 43.
The Security Adviser added that the rescued victims were handed over to the village head, Peter Ottoh Adakole, in the presence of the youth leader, Iduma Fidelis, and others after which they were taken to the General Hospital in Otukpo for medical care.
