Friday, January 30, 2026 - Men of the Nigerian military, alongside the joint task force and the vigilantes, have gunned down four notorious kidnappers who had been terrorising Ogbadibo community in Benue State for several years.
The suspected kidnappers reportedly met their Waterloo
following a failed attempt to abduct a Catholic priest in Obollo-Afor, Udenu
Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Security sources said the gunmen fled toward Benue State
after the aborted operation, but were intercepted by troops around Orokam,
where a fierce gun battle ensued. During the exchange of gunfire, four members
of the kidnapping gang were neutralised by the military.
The operation has sparked widespread jubilation among
residents of Ogbadibo and neighbouring communities, many of whom said they had
lived in fear for years due to the activities of the criminals.
Residents described the slain kidnappers as part of a
notorious gang responsible for repeated attacks along the Enugu–Otukpo road, a
major commercial route linking Benue and Enugu states
For a long time, the axis has been plagued by incidents of
kidnapping, armed robbery, and killings, with traders, travellers, and
businesspeople frequently targeted for ransom.
Community members said the latest development has brought a
sense of relief and renewed hope, expressing confidence that sustained security
operations would restore lasting peace to the area.
As of the time of filing this report, security authorities
had yet to issue an official statement on the operation.
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