Army Rescues Abducted Lieutenant Colonel, Civilian

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

The rescue followed a coordinated operation carried out by troops under Sector 1 of Operation UDO KA after security forces sustained pressure on the kidnappers over several days.

According to a military operational report released on Saturday, the victims were found in the early hours of Friday after fresh intelligence led troops to their location.

The operation involved personnel from the 82 Division Garrison, the reinforced 103 Battalion, the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service and the 197 Special Forces Battalion. The team was led by the Commander of the 82 Division Garrison.

During the operation, the troops conducted extensive searches across forests and surrounding communities in Inyi, Awlaw and Akpugo-Eze within Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The report stated that at about 2:00 a.m. on Friday, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the Inyi Division provided intelligence on where the abducted victims were being held.

Acting on the information, the troops quickly launched a combat patrol to the area and discovered both victims abandoned at the edge of a forest in Inyi.

The military disclosed that Lt.-Col. Amobi and Onwuanra had sustained gunshot wounds before they were rescued. They were immediately evacuated to the 82 Division Medical Hospital, where they are receiving treatment and undergoing further medical assessment.

Preliminary findings showed that the victims had been blindfolded after their abduction and taken to an unknown location before they were later abandoned inside a forest along the Enugu-Anambra border.

The military said the victims believed the kidnappers abandoned them because the sustained operations by the joint security team made it difficult for the criminals to move freely within the area.

Security authorities added that more information about the rescue mission would be released as investigations continue.