Military foils abduction plot near Plateau border
Troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, operating under Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have successfully thwarted a kidnapping attempt and rescued three victims in Taraba State.
The operation, which took place on Monday, January 5, 2026, was a result of a swift, intelligence-driven mission aimed at neutralizing criminal activities in the region. According to a statement released on Tuesday by the Brigade’s spokesperson, Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, the intervention followed credible reports of suspicious movements in the Karim Lamido local government area.
The victims, identified as Nimron Umar (25), Abafaras Ibrahim (20), and Habila Yunusa (23), were abducted by armed bandits in Sangai Village, located within the Bachama Ward. Upon receiving the distress alert, soldiers stationed at Jeb Jeb town were immediately mobilized to intercept the suspects. The high-speed pursuit forced the kidnappers toward the rugged border terrain between Taraba and Plateau states, where the criminals eventually felt the heat of the advancing military force.
Overwhelmed by the superior firepower and tactical positioning of the troops, the kidnappers abandoned their captives and fled into the dense surrounding forest. The three young men were recovered without any physical injuries and were promptly moved to a secure military facility for documentation and welfare checks. The Nigerian Army has confirmed that the rescued individuals will be reunited with their families as soon as the standard medical and security debriefing processes are completed.
Commander Uwa reaffirms commitment to state security
Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, the Commander of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, has commended the troops for their “professionalism and gallantry” during the rescue operation. He noted that the success of the mission demonstrates the military’s readiness to respond to security threats with precision and speed. Uwa reiterated that the Brigade will continue to sustain its offensive operations to deny “non-state actors” any freedom of action within the state.
The Commander also highlighted the importance of “community-led intelligence” in the fight against banditry and kidnapping. He appealed to the residents of Taraba State to continue providing timely and reliable information to security agencies to aid their work. According to the Army, the collaboration between the military and local vigilante groups has been a “vital pillar” in the recent successes recorded across the North Central and North East zones.
This latest rescue is part of a broader military push in 2026 to secure major transit corridors and agricultural communities that have been targeted by insurgent groups. In the last 24 hours, the military has reportedly neutralized several terrorists and rescued scores of hostages across different theaters of operation. The COAS (Chief of Army Staff) has previously stated that the military will not rest until all abducted citizens are returned safely to their homes.
Impact of kidnapping on Karim Lamido communities
The Karim Lamido local government area, which borders Plateau and Gombe states, has historically been a flashpoint for communal clashes and banditry. The frequent targeting of young men for ransom has disrupted the socio-economic life of the Bachama Ward, leading many families to abandon their ancestral farms. The rescue of Nimron, Abafaras, and Habila has brought a temporary sense of relief to the community, though fears of retaliatory attacks still linger.
Local leaders have called for the establishment of a permanent military forward operating base in the Sangai axis to deter future incursions. They argue that the porous nature of the border between Taraba and Plateau makes it easy for criminal gangs to navigate between states to evade arrest. The Taraba State Government has pledged to support the federal security agencies with additional logistics to ensure the safety of the “gateway communities.”
As 2026 unfolds, the Nigerian Army is expected to increase its footprint in these rural areas through “Operation Whirl Stroke.” The use of tactical drones and enhanced communication equipment has already begun to yield results, as seen in the quick tracking of the Sangai kidnappers. For the families of the three rescued victims, the beginning of the new year has been marked by a “miraculous escape” from what could have been a tragic ordeal.
