Troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have rescued two kidnapped victims in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The victims were rescued during a fighting patrol launched following credible intelligence on kidnapping activities in the Lande Jessi general area of the council.
The operation, conducted in the early hours of July 26, 2026, followed reports that armed criminal elements had invaded Tashan Musa and Barkindan Fulani communities, where they abducted two residents and stole food supplies.
In a statement, the Brigade’s Public Relations Officer, Lieutenant Umar Mohammed, said troops acted on credible and actionable intelligence to conduct targeted search-and-rescue operations across identified locations within the area.
He said the operation led to the successful rescue of two victims, identified as Usman Mohammed and Usman Harusu, who had reportedly spent about one week in captivity.
“The troops successfully located and rescued two kidnapped victims identified as Usman Mohammed and Usman Harusu, who had reportedly been held in captivity for about a week,” the statement said.
The Commander, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, Brigadier General Chukwuemeka Michael Akaliro, commended the troops for their swift response, professionalism and determination during the operation.
He said the successful rescue demonstrated the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting lives and property while maintaining security across Taraba State.
Akaliro added that the operation was in line with the directive of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, to decisively tackle criminal activities and restore lasting peace across the country.
He urged troops to sustain the momentum and remain vigilant in preventing criminal elements from operating freely within their area of responsibility.
The commander also assured residents of the Army’s continued commitment to protecting law-abiding citizens and called for sustained public cooperation through the provision of timely and credible information to security agencies.
This version keeps the official military tone but makes the report more readable, avoids repeating “credible intelligence” and “commitment” too often, and presents the rescue operation as the central news event.
