Enugu: Army rescues abducted senior officer, civilian

Soldiers of the Nigerian Army have managed to free a kidnapped senior military official Lt.-Col. Ofor Amobi, along with a civilian Mr. Ikechukwu Onwuanra, following a joint rescue operation that lasted for 10 days in the state of Enugu. History

As reported by the military operation in a statement made to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday, the two victims were freed early morning Friday.

The military credited the success of the rescue operation to continuous pressure exerted on the kidnappers during the entire operation period, which eventually led to freeing of the victims.

The military said troops of Sector 1 of Operation UDO KA, comprising personnel of the 82 Division Garrison, 103 Battalion (Reinforced), the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service and the 197 Special Forces Battalion, carried out the operation.

It said the troops, led by the Commander, 82 Division Garrison, conducted intensive searches across Inyi, Awlaw and Akpugo-Eze forests and communities in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State.

According to the report, troops received intelligence from the Divisional Police Officer of Inyi Division at about 2:00 a.m. on Friday on the whereabouts of the victims.

It said the troops immediately launched a fighting patrol to the location where the victims were found abandoned at the edge of a forest in Inyi.

The military said both victims had sustained gunshot wounds and were rescued before being evacuated to the 82 Division Medical Hospital for treatment and medical evaluation.

It added that preliminary interrogation revealed the victims had been blindfolded, transported to an unknown location and later abandoned within a forest along the Enugu-Anambra border.

“The victims attributed their rescue to the sustained pressure mounted by the joint troops, which denied the kidnappers freedom of movement and compelled them to abandon their captives,” it said.

The military said further details on the operation would be made available later.