A community-led rescue effort by youths in Ugbokolo, Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, reportedly led to the rescue of several kidnapped victims and the arrest of three suspected kidnappers.
According to local sources, the victims were abducted on Tuesday along the Ugbokolo–Aokpe Road, a route frequently used by residents and travelers within the area.

Following news of the incident, youths from the community reportedly mobilized and launched a search operation aimed at locating the victims and their captors.

Community members said the operation resulted in the successful rescue of the abducted persons and the apprehension of three individuals suspected of involvement in the crime.

One relative of a victim alleged that the suspects were of Fulani origin.

The identities of the rescued victims and arrested suspects were not immediately disclosed.

The development highlights ongoing security concerns along some rural roads in Benue State and underscores increasing community participation in local security efforts.

Efforts to confirm the incident from the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, was not successful as at the time of filing this report.

Troops involved in Operation Hadin Kai have successfully facilitated the surrender of two individuals suspected to be senior members of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, one of whom is a bomb-making expert believed to have essential insights into the group’s operations, as well as its bomb and logistics network.

Military sources have revealed that the two insurgents surrendered to the forces of the 159 Battalion in Geidam, Yobe State, on June 8.

This event is regarded as a significant achievement for security forces engaged in the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents throughout the Lake Chad region.

Sources indicate that the insurgents who surrendered have been identified as Ismail Mohammed and Abu Umar.

Military sources have characterized Abu Umar as a well-known engineer for ISWAP, specializing in the design and deployment of Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs), commonly referred to as car bombs.

The sources emphasized that specialists involved in the creation and deployment of improvised explosive devices hold crucial roles within terrorist organizations, as they provide the necessary technical skills to execute high-profile attacks against military targets, civilian areas, and critical infrastructure.

According to the sources, the information supplied by such individuals could be extremely valuable in assisting security agencies in locating bomb manufacturing sites, storage facilities, training camps, and logistical routes utilized by insurgents.

The second insurgent who surrendered, Ismail Mohammed, is reported to be among the commanders linked to the infamous Baa Shuwa axis in the Timbuktu Triangle, an area that has long been regarded as one of the strategic strongholds of the insurgents in the North-East.

The surrender of Abu Umar is particularly noteworthy, as Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices have historically been among the most lethal weapons employed by terrorist organizations in the North-East.

VBIED attacks have targeted military installations, marketplaces, places of worship, and other public venues, leading to numerous casualties and extensive destruction.