The troops of the Nigerian Army Brigade/Sector 3 of Operation Strok Stroke (OPWS) have frustrated an attempt to kidnapping in the village of Chanchangi, the area of ​​the local government of Takum of the state of Taraba.
In a statement made available to journalists on Saturday in Jalingo, the interim spokesman of the Brigade, Captain Oni Olubodunde, said that the three victims were rescued without injuries.
The operation, according to Olubodunde, occurred during a routine patrol and picket exercise along the Takum -chancangi road.
“As the soldiers approached the community axis of UKO, they found alleged armed bandits who had kidnapped three people traveling in a vehicle,” said Olubodunde.
He added: “When observing the troops, the kidnappers fled to the nearby forest, abandoning their captives. The soldiers persecuted and hired the suspects who fled in a brief shooting, forcing them to retire more towards the mountain.”
Among the rescued victims, according to the troops, is Alhaji Ali, Takum's Sariki Pawa. The victims' vehicle recovered on the scene, although the kidnappers escaped with the car key and two mobile phones.
Brigade General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, 6 Brigade commander, praised the troops for his rapid response and urged the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support the ongoing security efforts.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian army to safeguard lives and properties, promising to maintain their operations against criminal elements throughout the state of Taraba and its surroundings.