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Troops rescue two kidnapped victims in Benue

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The Defence Headquarters has announced that troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE have rescued two kidnapped victims.

It said that the rescue followed a sustained intelligence driven crackdown on criminal elements operating within Kyado in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

The DHQ said that the rescue operation which took place in the early hours of 15 April 2026 at approximately 03:50 a.m., led to the safe recovery of Mr Sylvester Micheal Ebuka and Mrs Chidinma Chikwentu.

The victims had earlier been abducted in separate incidents, with Mr Ebuka kidnapped on 2 April 2026 at about 06:50 a.m., while Mrs Chikwentu was taken on 6 April 2026 at approximately 05:13 p.m.

“The breakthrough was achieved through a combination of credible intelligence and relentless operational pressure mounted by troops on suspected bandit hideouts within the general area.

“The troops conducted aggressive fighting patrols aimed at dislodging criminal elements and disrupting their activities. This sustained offensive led to the recovery of the victims as their abductors fled. Both individuals were freed without sustaining physical injuries,” a statement signed by Acting Media Information Officer, HQ JTF Operation WHIRL STROKE, Ahmed Zubairu Zubairu said.

The Force Commander Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their resilience, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to duty.

He noted that the successful rescue was a testament to the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and the determination of the troops to deny criminal elements freedom of action.

Gara further reassured residents of Benue State and its environs of the military’s resolve to sustain ongoing operations until all threats to peace and security are neutralised.

He urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, emphasising that community cooperation remains vital in the fight against kidnapping and other forms of criminality.



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Man dies trapped inside Kano well while recovering mobile phone

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A 45-year-old man, Yusuf Usman, has died after he became trapped inside a well in Kwa Town, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State, while attempting to retrieve his mobile phone.

The incident was contained in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Yusif Abdullahi.

The incident occurred on Wednesday at about 11:13 am, according to the statement.

The Fire Service said it received a distress call from one of its staff, Kabiru Tata, after which rescue officers were swiftly deployed to the scene.

“On arrival, the rescue team found the man inside a well that had been converted into a waste disposal pit,” the statement revealed.

The victim reportedly entered the well to retrieve his phone after it fell inside but was unable to find a way to climb out.

“The rescue team successfully brought him out of the well unconscious. He was later confirmed dead, reportedly due to oxygen depletion and heat inside the well,” the Fire Service said.

The body was handed over to the Ward Head of Kwa Town, Alhaji Mukhtar.



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Five abductees in Kwara community feared dead in bandits captivity

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At least five worshippers kidnapped during the violent attack on ECWA Church in Omugo, located in the Oro Ago District of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, are reported to have died in terrorists’ captivity.

Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Security, Zubair Olaitan, confirmed to DAILY POST on Wednesday that the report is true.

The tragic development emerged from reports filtering out of the terrorists’ camp, including accounts provided by one of the abductees who reportedly escaped from the armed gang.

Informed sources revealed that the wife of the church pastor, Rachel Oluwaremilekun Omole, is among those reportedly killed alongside four other abductees.

According to one of the sources, “Five of the Omugo abductees have died in captivity,” though the exact details surrounding the deaths remain sketchy.

“No details of how and where they died,” the source further stated, citing information allegedly provided by one of the victims who escaped from the kidnappers’ den.

The source added that the tragic development has already been relayed to the affected families.

“The sad news has been broken to the families of the deceased,” the source said, adding that relatives of the victims were thrown into mourning following the revelation.

The victims were among worshippers abducted on March 22, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen invaded ECWA Church, Omugo, during a church service in the Oro Ago area.

Witnesses had narrated how the attackers opened fire within and around the church premises, causing panic among congregants before whisking about eight worshippers away into nearby forests.

Following the abduction, the kidnappers reportedly established contact with the families through the father of one of the abductees and demanded a ₦1 billion ransom for the release of the victims.

Sources, however, said the amount was later reviewed downward during negotiations.

Alleged efforts by relatives to secure the victims’ freedom, including the delivery of about ₦20 million, food supplies, and hot drinks requested by the abductors, proved abortive, as the captives were reportedly not released.

Security agencies had earlier disclosed that joint rescue efforts were ongoing to locate the victims and apprehend those behind the attack.

Official confirmation from authorities regarding the reported deaths could not be obtained at the time of filing this report on Wednesday.



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Soldier, five others killed in Adamawa road crash

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Six people died in a road crash at the Murke section of the Yola–Song Road in Adamawa State.

Sources said on Wednesday evening that the accident involved a Hummer bus and a military patrol vehicle, which collided while travelling in opposite directions.

A witness said five passengers in the Hummer bus were burnt beyond recognition after the vehicle caught fire following the collision, while a soldier died at the scene.

A seventh person, who was severely affected, reportedly sustained life-threatening injuries and was found unconscious at the scene.

The Adamawa State Deputy Governor, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta, was on her way to Mubi for an official engagement when she arrived at the scene of the accident.

An aide to the deputy governor disclosed that she immediately directed members of her convoy to evacuate the victims to the Specialist Hospital, Yola.



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