Thirteen kidnap victims were safely rescued through the efforts of troops from 14 Brigade, under the umbrella of the Nigerian Army’s 82 Division, during an operation along Ngodo-Isuochi road in Umunneochi Local Government Area, Abia State.
Having been alerted to a distress call on Saturday, July 22, 2023, the troops arrived at the scene and discovered evidence of a kidnapping attack on a Sienna SUV and an L300 Mitsubishi bus, both bearing the registration number UWN 190 AL Enugu.
Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, reported that the kidnappers successfully abducted the passengers and escaped into the nearby bushes, as stated in the official release.
‘The troops on getting additional information from witnesses at the scene, went in pursuit of the kidnappers, trailing them into the bushes.’
‘During the search and rescue operation, troops initially extricated five victims on the first day of the search and rescue operation.’
Read also: Infrastructure: $115m Loan For Abia State Gets AfDB Approval
‘Further search on Sunday 23 July 2023 led to the rescue of additional eight victims, totalling 13 rescued persons.’
‘The rescued victims have been handed over to the Nigerian Police in Umunne Ochi.’
‘The Nigerian Army appeals to all law-abiding citizens to continue to support the troops and other security agencies with timely and actionable information, as they combat security challenges across the country.’
The incessant attacks on citizens point to the surging rate of insecurity in the region believed to be orchestrated by a faction of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB).
In previous reports, Akwa Okuko tiwara aki, a popular native doctor was kidnapped by gunmen in his hometown, Oba in Idemili North local government area of Anambra State on Sunday, at one of his hotels.
