Nigeria, Oct. 26 -- Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have rescued two kidnap victims after confronting suspected kidnappers along the Naka-Ahume Road in Benue State, the military has said.

The troops encountered the armed suspects during a fighting patrol on Saturday, 24 October, while the assailants were allegedly attempting to abduct motorists and other road users.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Ahmad Zubairu, the acting media information officer of the task force, said the troops engaged the suspects in a gunfight, forcing them to abandon their captives and flee.

He said the troops pursued the fleeing suspects but did not make further contact with them.

One of the rescued victims, Mngunengen Ihom, 36, from Ahume, sustained machet...