Army Rescues 1 As Vigilantes Nab Suspected Kidnapper In Taraba

Troops from 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have rescued a kidnapped victim, Alhaji Ali Adamu, who was abducted outside his compound, in Lau local government area of Taraba State.

The acting assistant director, Army Public Relations of 6 Brigade, Jalingo, Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, disclosed this yesterday.

Muhammad revealed that the kidnappers left the victim and fled into the nearby bushes following a chase by the troops.

A statement by the Army director read in part: “In continuation of ongoing operations across Taraba State aimed at flushing out bandits and other criminal elements under the codename, Operation Lafiya Nakowa, troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke have successfully rescued a kidnapped victim, Alhaji Ali Adamu, in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State on 29 October 2025.

“The operation followed a distress call received by troops deployed in Lau, reporting the abduction of Alhaji Adamu, who was kidnapped while sleeping outside his compound.

“Acting swiftly on the information, the troops mobilised and launched a hot pursuit of the kidnappers. On realising that the troops were closing in, the criminals abandoned the victim and fled into nearby bushes. The rescued victim was subsequently reunited with his family without any ransom paid,” the statement said.

In a related development, a 30 year old man, identified as Mr. Lalau Adamu, was arrested by local vigilantes and hunters in Maraban Kunini Lau local government area.

Adamu was arrested as a suspect in the kidnapping of Alhaji Ali Adamu, the acting assistant director, Army Public Relations, said in the statement.

Muhammed said the suspect was handed over to the troops for necessary action, after sustaining injuries from a mob beating.

The statement said, “local vigilantes and hunters on patrol around Maraban Kunini in the early hours of the same day apprehended a suspected kidnapper identified as Mr Lalau Adamu (30 years old), alleged to have been involved in the abduction.

“Upon arrival at the scene, troops discovered that the suspect had sustained injuries from mob action.

“He was immediately evacuated under military protection to a medical facility for treatment while further investigation continues,” the 6 Brigade spokesman in the statement said.

He added that Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, the Commander 6 Brigade/Sector 3 OPWS, commended the swift response and effective coordination among the troops, vigilantes, and local hunters which led to the successful rescue operation.

Uwa further urged residents to continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to enhance ongoing efforts at maintaining peace and security across the state.

It said, “the Nigerian Army remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens while sustaining its resolve to rid Taraba State and its environs of all criminal elements.”