Abuja, Nigeria
Nigerian troops have rescued dozens of passengers from a mass kidnapping attempt and dismantled a suspected illegal arms-trafficking ring during a series of high-stakes operations across the country’s restive North-central region. The military interventions, which took place in Benue and Plateau states, come as security forces intensify patrols to protect travellers and rural communities during the high-risk Christmas and New Year period.
Highway Ambush Foiled in Benue
On the night of 22 December, armed assailants ambushed two 18-seater commercial buses travelling from Jos to Ibadan along the Otukpo–Enugu Expressway. According to military officials, the gunmen had occupied an existing checkpoint and were attempting to drag all passengers into the bush when troops arrived.
- The Rescue: Soldiers from “Operation Whirl Stroke” engaged the attackers in a firefight, forcing them to flee.
- The Survivors: Fifteen passengers were rescued immediately. Following a secondary search operation, five more adults and four minors were recovered.
- Status: Only one passenger remains unaccounted for, with search efforts continuing in the surrounding forest.
🔫 Gunrunning Raid in Plateau
Separately, in Plateau State—an area frequently plagued by communal violence and ethnic tensions—an intelligence-led raid in the early hours of Christmas Eve broke up a suspected “gunrunning” syndicate in the town of Vom.
Three suspects were arrested, and soldiers recovered:
- Two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles.
- Ammunition, knives, and communication devices.
Samson Zhakom, a spokesperson for the task force, stated the raid was part of a broader strategy to cut off the supply of illicit weapons to criminal groups in the region.
🛡️ Local Resistance and Officer Injuries
The operation in Plateau took a volatile turn during the military’s withdrawal. Officials reported that a group of local youths and women attempted to obstruct the soldiers, blocking roads and pelting military vehicles with stones.
“During the withdrawal, troops encountered resistance from misguided women and youths who blocked the road and fired at the troops,” Mr Zhakom said.
One officer was injured in the melee, and several military “gun trucks” sustained damage to their windscreens and radiators. The army described the situation as “contained” but noted that the incident highlights the complex relationship between security forces and some local communities.
📈 Regional Security Summary: Festive Period 2025
| State | Incident Type | Outcome |
| Benue | Mass Kidnapping Attempt | 24 Rescued; 1 Missing |
| Plateau | Arms Trafficking Raid | 3 Arrested; Weapons Seized |
| Regional | Combined Operations | Increased patrols in Nasarawa & Taraba |
The Nigerian military has vowed to maintain a “zero-tolerance” approach to criminal activity throughout the holiday season, targeting kidnapping hotspots and illicit arms factories that fuel the region’s persistent insecurity.
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