Military rescues abducted army colonel, civilian from Enugu forest

A joint military task force has successfully rescued Ofor Amobi, a senior Nigerian Army officer, and Ikechukwu Onwuanra, a civilian, following a 10-day search-and-rescue operation across forests and surrounding communities in Enugu State.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the victims were freed in the early hours of Friday after sustained military operations.

“The search mission involved personnel of the 82 Division Garrison, 103 Battalion (Rear), the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service (NN SBS), and the 197 Special Forces Battalion, operating under the leadership of the Commander, 82 Division Garrison, with support from the Air Component,” Makama said.

“According to the sources, between 6:00 p.m. on July 31 and 6:00 a.m. on Aug. 1, the joint troops continued search operations using actionable intelligence across Inyi, Awlaw and Akpugo-Eze forests and adjoining communities in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State.

“At about 2:00 a.m., the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Inyi Division alerted the troops to the suspected location of the kidnapped victims.

“The troops immediately mobilised and launched a fighting patrol into the area, where they discovered Lt. Col. Amobi and Mr. Onwuanra abandoned at the edge of a forest. The civilian was found with a gunshot wound.”

Makama stated that the victims were rescued and first taken to Inyi before being transferred to the 82 Division Medical Hospital for treatment and a full medical evaluation.

Preliminary debriefings revealed that the victims were blindfolded shortly after their abduction and transported to an undisclosed location.

Investigators were told that the kidnappers later abandoned them in a forest near the Enugu-Anambra border after coming under sustained pressure from security forces.

Makama added that military sources credited the success of the operation to the consistent pressure applied by the joint force, supported by the air component, which maintained dominance over suspected hideouts and restricted the kidnappers’ movement.

“The sources said the sustained search-and-rescue mission ultimately forced the kidnappers to abandon the captives and flee,” Makama said.

“Further investigations and follow-up operations are ongoing to identify, track and apprehend those responsible for the abduction.”