Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued a kidnapped man in a remote bush area around Dogon Gawa in Taraba State after he spent 11 harrowing days in captivity, bringing relief to his family.
The victim, identified as Ghali, regained his freedom following an intensive manhunt that forced his abductors to abandon him as troops closed in on their hideout.
The rescued man had been abducted earlier in January along a highway in Gbise village, Benue State, alongside another victim, Simon Oluchukwu, during an ambush that led to the death of their driver.
The rescue was executed by troops attached to the 6 Brigade under Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke, who conducted coordinated search operations across border communities linking Taraba and Benue states.
According to military sources, Ghali was held in difficult terrain under constant threat before his captors fled in the face of mounting pressure from advancing troops.
Following his rescue on Tuesday night, the victim received immediate medical attention and underwent security debriefings before being reunited with his family.
Reacting to the successful operation on Wednesday, the Commander of 6 Brigade, Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa, praised the troops for their resilience and professionalism.
“Our troops refused to give up despite the difficult terrain and risks involved. This rescue reflects our resolve to dismantle criminal networks operating in the region,” he said.
General Uwa added that military operations would be intensified to secure the release of the remaining victim and bring the perpetrators to justice. He also appealed to residents to support security efforts.
“Community cooperation remains critical to ending kidnapping and other violent crimes in the area. We urge members of the public to provide credible intelligence to aid our operations,” he said.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilians and restoring lasting peace across flashpoints in the North-Central region.
