Troops of the 401 Special Forces Brigade of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with Sector One, have successfully rescued a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Samuel Muekara, and six other victims from kidnappers in Tse-Annaka, located along the Wukari/Zaki-Biam road in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
The 29-year-old Muekara, a law graduate, was among several individuals who had been abducted at different times within the area. The other rescued victims 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 anonymously, revealed that the kidnappers are part of a notorious gang previously led by the late Terwase Akwaza, also known as Gana. The group has been terrorizing the Sankara axis of Benue State. The source stressed the need for local communities to assist security agencies by providing information about these criminals, who are often well known to residents but operate without fear due to a lack of cooperation.
Some of the rescued victims recounted their harrowing experience, explaining that they were held in various hideouts across Ukum, including Chito, Adamawa, Atereyange, Ututu, and Pevkyaa villages. The bandits reportedly conducted their kidnappings openly, treating it as a major source of income, while the locals were too frightened to report their activities.
One victim, Rabiu Muhammad, shared how he was kidnapped after paying a ransom for his cousin, while another, Blessing Ayuba, was abducted after attempting to pay for her son’s release. The rescued NYSC member, Muekara, revealed that despite his family and those of the other victims raising over N20 million in ransom, the kidnappers refused to release them until military forces intervened.
