In a bold and coordinated counter-kidnapping mission, the Nigerian Army’s 6 Brigade, Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), successfully rescued Engineer Joshua Saleh, a lecturer at Taraba State University, who was abducted by suspected criminals.
Engineer Saleh was kidnapped on July 31, 2025, along the volatile Chinkai–Kente–Wukari axis in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State—a stretch notorious for criminal ambushes and insurgent activities.
According to an official statement issued Sunday, the rescue followed actionable intelligence that prompted a swift and precise search-and-rescue mission. The joint security team combed through high-risk areas including Kente, Sondi 1 and 2, Yaku, and the Warawa general area—locations suspected to be hideouts of the kidnappers.
Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for 6 Brigade, confirmed that the rescue operation was marked by a fierce gun duel. “During the encounter, our troops engaged the kidnappers in a heavy exchange of gunfire. Overwhelmed by our superior firepower and tactical advantage, the criminals abandoned the victim and fled,” he revealed.
Engineer Saleh was rescued unscathed and is currently receiving medical evaluation and trauma care, authorities confirmed.
Commending the troops for their outstanding bravery and professionalism, the Commander of 6 Brigade NA/Sector 3 OPWS, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, praised the seamless synergy between the military and the DSS. He highlighted the operation as a testament to the Nigerian Army’s unrelenting commitment to neutralizing criminal threats and ensuring the safety of citizens.
“Our troops acted swiftly, decisively, and with remarkable precision. This operation reflects the military’s unwavering resolve to rid Taraba State and Nigeria at large of criminal elements,” Brigadier General Uwa stated.
He further appealed to members of the public to remain alert and proactive by providing security agencies with credible information. “Community vigilance and timely intelligence are vital ingredients in our ongoing operations to secure lives and restore peace,” he emphasized.
The rescue of Engineer Saleh adds to a growing list of successful interventions by security forces in the region, reinforcing hope in Nigeria’s ongoing war against criminality, abduction, and insurgency.
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