Troops of the 401 Special Forces Brigade of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with Sector One, have rescued a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member and six other people from kidnappers in Tse-Annaka, along the Wukari/Zaki-Biam road in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
The corps member, 29-year-old law graduate Samuel Muekara, was among the victims rescued during the operation. The others include Anaelechi Bob (32), Ayuba Luka (28), Ibrahim Umar (30), Rabiu Muhammad (48), Buhari Ahmadu Saleh (17), and Blessing Ayuba (47).
A security officer, speaking anonymously, revealed that the kidnappers were part of gangs led by notorious criminals in the region, previously under the leadership of the late Terwase Akwaza, also known as Gana. The bandits operate openly in the Sankara area, and local residents often fear reporting their activities.
Some of the victims, speaking from the military camp in Zaki-Biam where they were taken after their rescue, recounted their harrowing experiences. They were held hostage for several days in nearby villages like Chito, Adamawa, Atereyange, Ututu, and Pevkyaa, all used as hideouts by the heavily armed bandits.
The bandits have made kidnapping a primary source of income in these communities, and they operate openly, even involving their families in caring for the hostages. One of the victims, Rabiu Muhammad, was kidnapped after paying a ransom for his cousin, Ibrahim Umar. Similarly, Blessing Ayuba was abducted after coming to pay a ransom for her son, Luka Ayuba.
The rescued corps member revealed that despite the families of seven victims raising over N20 million in ransom, they were not released until the military intervened. Thanks to the efforts of the Nigerian Army, the victims were finally freed from captivity.
