Troops Rescue Abducted Taraba State University Lecturer in Coordinated Operation
By Henry AgbuÂ
Troops of the 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, and Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), in a joint operation with the Department of State Services (DSS), have successfully rescued Engineer Joshua Saleh, a lecturer at Taraba State University who was abducted by suspected criminals on July 31, 2025.
Engineer Saleh was kidnapped along the Chinkai–Kente–Wukari Road in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State, triggering an urgent and well-coordinated response by security operatives.
According to a statement signed by Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, the operation was based on credible intelligence, prompting a targeted search-and-rescue mission across critical locations including Kente, Sondi 1 and 2, Yaku, and the Warawa general area.
During the operation, troops made contact with the kidnappers and engaged them in a fierce gun battle.
Overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the security forces, the criminals fled the scene, abandoning the victim, who was rescued unharmed.
Engr Joshua Saleh
Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, Commander of 6 Brigade NA/Sector 3 OPWS, commended the gallantry, professionalism, and synergy displayed by both the troops and DSS operatives during the rescue mission.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to the protection of lives and property and to maintaining peace across Taraba State.
General Uwa further called on the public to remain vigilant and to continue providing timely and credible information to aid ongoing security operations.
The rescue operation has been widely hailed as a successful demonstration of inter-agency cooperation in combating insecurity in the region.
