Troops from the 401 Special Forces Brigade of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with Sector One, successfully rescued a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member and six other victims from kidnappers in Tse-Annaka, situated along the Wukari/Zaki-Biam route in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
The corps member has been identified as Samuel Muekara, a 29-year-old law graduate. The other rescued victims, who were kidnapped at various times in the same area, include Anaelechi Bob, 32, Ayuba Luka, 28, Ibrahim Umar, 30, Rabiu Muhammad, 48, Buhari Ahmadu Saleh, 17, and Blessing Ayuba, 47.
A security source, speaking to DAILY POST on the condition of anonymity, indicated that the bandits causing turmoil in the Sankara region are known by the names “Full Fire,” Ayongo, Chen, and their group. He noted that these criminals are part of the gang previously led by the infamous kingpin in Benue, the late Terwase Akwaza, also known as Gana.
“These notorious armed bandits are well-known to the local populace, yet whenever there is an attempt to gather information, they feign ignorance. The community must recognize that security is a shared responsibility, and residents should feel encouraged to report any relevant information to the security agencies, particularly our troops, to help apprehend these criminals,” he stated.
Some of the rescued individuals, speaking at the military camp in Zaki-Biam, Ukum Local Government Area, recounted their harrowing experiences of being held captive for days before the military’s intervention.
“Several of us were taken to neighboring settlements such as Chito, Adamawa, Atereyange, Ututu, and Pevkyaa villages, where these heavily armed bandits used as hideouts. These criminals have turned kidnapping into their primary source of income and do so brazenly, without any fear,” one victim explained.
“They even live with their families, who come to deliver food to them in their hideouts. Residents see these bandits committing these atrocities but feel powerless to speak out due to fear for their safety.”
One of the victims, Rabiu Muhammad, shared that he was abducted while attempting to pay a ransom for his cousin, Ibrahim Umar. Another victim, Blessing Ayuba, stated she was also taken after coming to pay a ransom for her son, Luka Ayuba.
The rescued corps member disclosed that the families of the seven victims had collectively raised over N20 million in ransom and surrendered other valuables worth millions of naira, yet they remained in captivity until the military’s timely rescue.
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