Troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have successfully foiled a kidnapping attempt in Chanchangi village, Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, rescuing three victims unharmed.

According to a statement released on Saturday in Jalingo by the Brigade's Acting Spokesperson, Captain Oni Olubodunde, the rescue operation occurred during a routine patrol along the Takum–Chanchangi Road.

"As the soldiers approached the Uko community axis, they encountered suspected armed bandits who had abducted three individuals traveling in a vehicle," Olubodunde explained.

The military spokesperson further detailed that upon sighting the troops, the kidnappers abandoned their captives and fled into the nearby forest. The soldiers engaged the fleeing suspects in a brief firefight, forcing them to retreat deeper into the bush.

Among those rescued was Alhaji Ali, identified as the Sariki Pawa of Takum, a local traditional leader. While the victims' vehicle was recovered at the scene, the abductors escaped with the car key and two mobile phones.

Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, Commander of 6 Brigade, commended the troops for their swift response and urged the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing security efforts in the region.

The Commander reaffirmed the Nigerian Army's commitment to safeguarding lives and property, pledging to sustain operations against criminal elements across Taraba State and surrounding areas.

This successful rescue operation comes amid ongoing security challenges in various parts of northern Nigeria, where kidnapping for ransom has become a persistent threat to residents and travelers.