The Nigerian Army has freed 27 passengers abducted by armed men in Amoda community, Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.

The rescue followed a coordinated operation by troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, who stormed the kidnappers’ hideout and overpowered them, leading to the safe recovery of the victims.

According to the Army, the breakthrough in Benue formed part of its wider nationwide counter-terrorism and anti-crime operations, which also resulted in 15 terrorists killed, 42 suspects arrested, and 30 kidnapped victims rescued across the country.

In the North East, troops engaged Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents in Dikwa, Gwoza, Bama, Banki, and Gujba, killing 15 fighters and recovering rifles, grenades, explosives, motorcycles, and communication equipment.

Elsewhere, security forces arrested 15 suspects in Kaduna for possession of illicit drugs, 25 others for oil theft in Bayelsa, and two in Delta. In the South South, illegal crude oil bunkering sites were destroyed in Imo, Rivers, and Delta states.