Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE have foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Otukpo–Enugu Expressway in Benue State, rescuing 24 passengers and forcing the assailants to flee.
The incident occurred on 22 December 2025 at about 10:00pm following a distress call, prompting troops on routine patrol to mobilise swiftly to the Amoda axis in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.
Acting Media Information Officer, HQ JTF Operation WHIRL STROKE, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, December 23, said the armed criminals had emerged from the bush and briefly occupied an existing checkpoint.
The assailants subsequently stopped two 18-seater commercial buses travelling from Jos, Plateau State, to Ibadan, Oyo State, and attempted to abduct all passengers; however, the timely intervention of troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE led to a firefight that compelled the kidnappers to abandon their victims and flee into the bush.
In the initial encounter, 15 passengers were rescued and handed over to Nigerian Police Division, Otukpo, while six adults and four minors were declared missing, however, subsequent operations led to the rescue of additional five adults and all four minors now in custody of the Police Area Command, Otukpo, with search efforts ongoing to locate the remaining missing passenger.
Commenting on the development, the Force Commander Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their prompt response and professionalism.
He reaffirmed the Task Force unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property within its Area of Responsibility, stressing that sustained offensive operations, intelligence-led patrols, and coordinated engagements with sister security agencies would continue to deny criminal elements freedom of action.
“Major General Moses Gara, extends warm Christmas and Yuletide greetings to all Christian faithful within the Joint Operations Area, covering Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States,” the statement read.
“He prays that the season brings God’s abundant mercy, peace, and enduring joy to families and communities.
“The Force Commander urges all believers to remain united, to shun all forms of violence, and to live by the noble virtues exemplified by the Lord Jesus Christ of love, humility, tolerance, and compassion as a prerequisite for shared prosperity throughout the festive period and beyond.”
The 10-year-old Chiziterem Ozuluigbo, whose case sparked nationwide outrage over child abuse has been discharged from the hospital after making a full recovery.
The minor was discharged from hospital on Saturday 18th July and arrived his hometown, Umuofiagu-Ukehe, Igbo-Etiti LGA of Enugu State on Sunday.
Chiziterem’s case attracted national attention in June after a viral video showed him with severe burns and other injuries allegedly inflicted by his guardians in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The incident triggered widespread condemnation across Nigeria and renewed calls for stronger enforcement of child protection laws and improved safeguards for vulnerable children. Demographics
Following the incident, the Anambra State Government facilitated his admission to a medical facility for specialised treatment and pledged to oversee his recovery while supporting his family.
Medical caregivers confirmed that, in addition to treatment for his burns and other physical injuries, Chiziterem underwent psychological therapy to aid his recovery from the trauma associated with the alleged abuse.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command arraigned the child’s former guardians, Mr. Chukwudi Chukwuyere, 40, and Mrs. Chisom Chukwuyere, 30, over the alleged abuse.
The suspects have been remanded in a correctional facility pending trial.
The Yobe State Police Command has arrested five suspects over alleged fraud involving fake bank transfer alerts and recovered counterfeit foreign currencies during a raid on their hideout.
The spokesperson for the command, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, who disclosed this in a statement on July 19, 2026 said the suspects allegedly conspired to obtain 10 bags of fertiliser valued at N488,000 after falsely claiming they had transferred payment to the seller.
According to him, the Potistum Divisional Police Headquarters received a distress report on Saturday from the victim, who alleged that the suspects deceived him with a fake bank transfer alerts before taking possession of the fertiliser.
“The Yobe State Police Command has recorded another major breakthrough in its sustained fight against fraud and other organised crimes with the arrest of a criminal syndicate suspected of defrauding unsuspecting members of the public through fake bank transfer alerts and the possession of suspected counterfeit foreign currencies,” the statement read.
“On 18 July 2026, at about 1715hrs, the Potiskum Divisional Police Headquarters received a distress report from a victim alleging that earlier the same day, at about 1630hrs, Mohammad Ibrahim of Don Etiebet Estate, Damaturu; Abdullahi Aliyu of Kofar Ruwa, Kano State; Muhammad Mukhtar of Commissioner’s Quarters, Damaturu; Mohammad Bashir; and Alhaji Ahmad Mohammad, both of Obasanjo Road, Damaturu, criminally conspired to obtain ten (10) bags of fertiliser valued at ₦488,000.00 after falsely claiming to have effected payment through a bank transfer.
“Upon receipt of the complaint, police operatives swiftly mobilised, deployed intelligence-led policing strategies, and arrested the suspects before they could dispose of the goods.
“During preliminary investigation, a valid search warrant was executed at the suspects’ hotel room in Damaturu, where the following exhibits were recovered: Ten (10) pieces of suspected counterfeit U.S. $100 notes; Fifty-six (56) pieces of 50,000 Somali Shilling notes suspected to be counterfeit; One calabash; One black-and-white cloth; Bottles of perfume; and Various suspected charms and ritual items.
“The recovered foreign currencies are reasonably suspected to be counterfeit. Investigation is ongoing to determine the source of the fake currencies, establish whether the syndicate is involved in the production and circulation of counterfeit notes, and uncover other members of the criminal network.
“The suspects are assisting the Police with useful information.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Usman Kanfani Jibrin, psc, mspsp, has strongly condemned the acts of rape, particularly those involving children, describing them as cruel, inhumane, and unacceptable.
“He directed that comprehensive investigations be concluded without delay and assured members of the public that anyone found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“The Commissioner also advised residents to remain vigilant against fraudsters, verify electronic payment transactions before releasing goods, and exercise caution when dealing with foreign currencies.
“He reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the State and urged the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police.
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has detained four officers accused of extorting N53,000 from the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Aliyu (SAN), during an unauthorised stop-and-search exercise in Abuja.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, July 20, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, condemned the officers, describing them as “thieves” who had disgraced the police force through their actions.
Investigations by the police showed that the officers allegedly abandoned their assigned duty posts, converged around the Banex area of Wuse and erected an illegal checkpoint where they targeted motorists for extortion. Unaware of the identity of their victim, they reportedly stopped the ICPC chairman and compelled him to obtain cash through a Point of Sale (POS) operator.
According to Sanusi, Aliyu withdrew N53,000, paid the transaction charges and handed over the money, which the officers allegedly shared among themselves.
The police boss disclosed that the command declared the officers wanted before tracking down their leader. His confession, he said, led investigators to the remaining members of the group.
“We got all of them. We are going to make sure they are severely punished. Those that are going to be dismissed will definitely be dismissed.”
The commissioner also reminded officers and members of the public that the Inspector-General of Police had outlawed the indiscriminate search of citizens’ mobile phones during patrols.
“You cannot stop anybody on the road and ask the person to bring out his phone for search. If any policeman stops you and asks to search your phone, don’t agree. Call the police emergency lines and we will ask them why. We will still enforce the IG’s directive. Some of them are on the task because they are criminally minded. They want to perpetrate such acts. If we get them, they will face disciplinary actions and will be made to face the consequences.”