Army rescues 4 victims, apprehends 6 suspects in Imo, Enugu, C’River operations

Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued four kidnap victims, arrested six suspects and recovered cash as well as operational items during separate security operations conducted in Imo, Cross River and Enugu States.

The operations were carried out between Friday and Saturday by troops of the 82 Division and Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA, following credible intelligence on kidnapping and other criminal activities across the region.

According to an operational update released in Abuja, troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade, Forward Operating Base, FOB, Izombe, in collaboration with local security operatives, rescued three kidnapped victims along the Oguta–Owerri Road in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.

The report said the troops traced the kidnappers to a hideout located in the Okohia Umueju forest, where four victims were being held captive.

It noted that while three victims were successfully rescued, one victim was allegedly killed by the kidnappers while attempting to escape from captivity.

“Troops engaged the criminals, forcing them to flee in disarray and abandon the victims,” the report stated.

Items recovered during the operation included 987 thousand, 500 naira suspected to be ransom proceeds, five mobile phones and two power banks.

In a related operation in Cross River State, troops reportedly foiled a kidnapping incident at an election venue in Yakurr Local Government Area and rescued an abducted Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, official.

According to the report, two groups of suspected kidnappers stormed a hotel in Ekori during a political party primary election.

“One group, operating in a Toyota Corolla with registration number ABJ 810HL, abducted the INEC Returning Officer and forced the victim to transfer 70 thousand naira, while another group on motorcycles carted away ballot boxes,” the statement added.

Troops were said to have swiftly mobilised to the scene, intercepted the vehicle, rescued the victim and arrested three suspects linked to the incident.

The Army said one armed suspect escaped into the bush with a bag containing a mobile phone, ATM card and election materials, while the second group fled with the ballot boxes.

It added that the rescued electoral official, the arrested suspects and the recovered vehicle remained in military custody, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects.

Meanwhile, in Enugu State, troops under Operation Eastern Sanity II conducted a raid in Achi Town, Oji River Local Government Area, following intelligence reports linking a residential building to cult-related activities.

The operation led to the recovery of eight motorcycles and two buckets containing locally made gunpowder.

Three suspects, including an 85-year-old man and two women aged 26 and 29, were arrested during the raid.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations aimed at tackling kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes across the South-East and adjoining areas.