Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Brigade and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have rescued Engineer Joshua Saleh, a lecturer at Taraba State University, who was abducted along the Chinkai–Kente–Wukari road on July 31.

The rescue operation, which was carried out in the early hours of Saturday, was the result of a coordinated effort between troops of Sector 3, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), and the DSS.

In a statement issued by the Army on Sunday in Jalingo, the troops acted on credible intelligence and launched a targeted search-and-rescue mission across key locations including Kente, Sondi 1 and 2, Yaku, and the Warawa general area in Wukari Local Government Area.

According to the statement, the troops encountered the abductors and engaged them in a fierce gun duel, forcing them to abandon their victim and flee.

“Engineer Saleh was found unharmed and has since been reunited with his family,” the statement added.

Commander 6 Brigade/Sector 3 OPWS, Brig.-Gen. Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, commended the troops for their gallantry and swift response.

He also lauded the synergy between the Army and DSS, noting that the operation demonstrated high-level professionalism and coordination among security agencies.

Uwa reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to the protection of lives and property in Taraba and urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to security agencies.

The rescue comes amid renewed military operations across Taraba to clamp down on banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities. (Zagazola)