Three suspected kidnappers, who abducted a trader identified as Omemma Chimobi, have been killed by troops of the Operation Whirl Stroke in Zaki-Biam, in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
The soldiers, who were said to be working on a tip-off, trailed the kidnappers, engaged them in a gun duel and killed three of them on Tuesday.
According to PUNCH, the Security Adviser to Governor Samuel Ortom, Lt. Col. Paul Hemba (retd.) who confirmed the incident said, “On May 24, 2022, around 3.30pm, one Ordue Kanga, aka Ordada, kidnapped one Omemma Chimobi, in Zaki Biam town.
“On a tip-off, troops of sub-sector 2, Zaki Biam, trailed the bandits through Yam Market Road as they were looking for escape routes.
“On sighting the troops, the bandits opened fire from inside their red Toyota Corolla, but troops returned superior firepower and neutralised three of the bandits, while the kidnapped victim, Omemma Chimobi, was rescued from the vehicle.”
Hemba, who said he received the report from a top official of Operation Whirl Stroke, added that items recovered from the suspected kidnappers included one AK-47 rifle, three magazines, one Toyota Corolla, one desert camouflage, one woodland camouflage and handsets.