Troops of the Nigerian army have arrested 17 bandits in Katsina-Ala local government area of Benue State suspected to have kidnapped 23 traders along Takum- Wukari road in Taraba State.

Security Adviser to the Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, Col. Paul Hemba(retired) disclosed this to newsmen in Makurdi, stating that the troops, and combined team from Operation Whirl Stroke, (OPWS) and other security forces, rescued 19 out of the 23 victims, at Ajon, Igbudu and Tor Donga axis with all alive except for four victims which they are in search of.

He said some criminal elements linked to late Terwase Akwaza, known as Gana kidnapped the traders with the aimed to trigger a crisis between the Tiv and Jukum tribe in that axis, so as to reduce the pressure on them from the security forces.

He further noted that the bandits are currently being profiled by the DSS at 93 Battalion locations in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba state.

He also stated that state government is in contact with his Taraba state counterpart to ensure that there no breakdown of law and order.