Troops rescue 36 Benue residents reportedly held hostage in a Cross River community

Nigerian Army troops rescued 36 indigenes from Benue State who were reportedly held against their will in Imaje Community, Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State, after a reprisal tied to a livestock theft dispute. The rescue was announced in a post shared on X by security analyst Zagazola Makama on Saturday.

According to the post, the operation was carried out at about 3:30 p.m. on Thursday by soldiers from the 130 Battalion (Rear) in cooperation with the 341 Artillery Regiment during a raid on the community.

The troops successfully freed all 36 victims, who are Benue indigenes residing in Imaje Community.

“The rescued victims reportedly told security operatives that the incident began after an indigene of Imaje Community was allegedly attacked by some youths in Benue State over the theft of livestock,” Makama wrote.

“They claimed that in retaliation, some members of the Imaje Community targeted Benue residents living in the area, attacking them and holding them against their will.”

The military intervention restored calm to the community and prevented the situation from escalating further.