Army Rescues Kidnapped Lieutenant Colonel, Civilian in Enugu

Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued a kidnapped senior military officer, Lt. Col. Ofor Amobi, and a civilian, Mr. Ikechukwu Onwuanra, after a 10-day joint search-and-rescue operation in Enugu State.

The successful operation was carried out by troops under Sector 1 of Operation UDO KA following sustained pressure on the kidnappers, forcing them to abandon their captives.

According to a military operational report released on Saturday, the rescue mission involved personnel from the 82 Division Garrison, 103 Battalion (Reinforced), the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service and the 197 Special Forces Battalion.

The troops, led by the Commander of the 82 Division Garrison, conducted intensive search operations across Inyi, Awlaw and Akpugo-Eze forests, as well as surrounding communities in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The report stated that at about 2:00 a.m. on Friday, troops received credible intelligence from the Divisional Police Officer of Inyi Division regarding the possible location of the victims.

Acting swiftly on the information, the troops launched a fighting patrol to the identified area, where they discovered Lt. Col. Amobi and Onwuanra abandoned at the edge of a forest in Inyi.

The military said both victims had sustained gunshot wounds during their captivity and were immediately evacuated to the 82 Division Medical Hospital for urgent medical treatment and comprehensive evaluation.

Preliminary interrogation revealed that the victims had been blindfolded by their abductors and transported to an unknown location before eventually being abandoned in a forest along the Enugu-Anambra border.

According to the report, the victims credited their rescue to the sustained military operations, which denied the kidnappers freedom of movement and left them with no option but to flee and abandon their captives.

The military noted that the operation formed part of ongoing efforts under Operation UDO KA to dismantle criminal networks, combat kidnapping and improve security across the South-East.

It added that troops remain on the trail of the fleeing suspects as follow-up operations continue to apprehend those responsible for the abduction.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property, assuring residents that joint security operations would continue across the region to eliminate criminal elements and restore lasting peace.

The military also stated that further details regarding the operation would be released as investigations progress.