The Nigerian Army’s 401 Special Forces Brigade, working with Sector One, has freed six more victims and a National Youth Service Corps member from kidnappers in Tse-Annaka, near Wukari/Zaki-Biam, in the Ukum local government area of Benue State.

Samuel Muekara, a 29-year-old law graduate, was confirmed as the corps member.

Anaelechi Bob, 32; Ayuba Luka, 28; Ibrahim Umar, 30; Rabiu Muhammad, 48; Buhari Ahmadu Saleh, 17; and Blessing Ayuba, 47 are among the other rescued victims who were abducted at various periods and dates within the same vicinity.

An anonymous security official revealed to DAILY PULSE that “Full Fire,” Ayongo, Chen, and his gang are the bandits terrorising the Sankara axis.

He claimed that Terwase Akwaza, better known as Gana, the late criminal lord of Benue, was the group leader of the bandits.

The locals in those places are familiar with these infamous armed bandits, and when asked for information, they pretend not to know even though they are aware of them.

“The people must understand that security is a collective effort from all and sundry and therefore, the communities should be able to always volunteer necessary information to security agencies, especially our troops to help them fish out the perpetrators of crime among them,” he said.

Speaking at the military camp in Zaki-Biam, Ukum local government area, where they were transferred, a few of the rescued victims said they had been kidnapped and held captive for days prior to the military’s intervention.

“Some of us were brought to the nearby villages that these heavily armed bandits use as their hideouts: Chito Village, Adamawa Village, Atereyange Village, Ututu Village, and Pevkyaa Village, all located in the Ukum Local Government Area.

“These armed bandits use kidnapping as their main source of revenue in these villages, and they carry it out fearlessly during the day.

In their hiding places, they live with their families, who frequently stop by to provide us food. Although the locals witness them committing these crimes, they are afraid to speak up for fear of losing their own lives.

One of the victims claimed, “One of us (victims) known as Rabiu Muhammad who came to pay ransom for his cousin Ibrahim Umar became a kidnapped victim himself after he had paid the ransom.”

After coming to pay a ransom for her son Luka Ayuba, another victim known only as Blessing Ayuba said she was also abducted.

The rescued youth corps member stated that they were kept in captivity until the military rescued them, despite the fact that the families of the seven victims collectively raised over N20 million and paid a ransom with other items worth millions of naira that were stolen by force.