In the early hours of Saturday, August 1, 2026, troops operating under Sector 1 of Operation UDO KA rescued Lt. Col. Ofor Amobi, a senior Nigerian Army officer, and civilian Mr. Ikechukwu Onwuanra from kidnappers in Enugu State. The successful rescue ended a 10-day search-and-rescue operation conducted across multiple forests and communities in the region.
Rescue Ends 10-Day Search Across Enugu Forests
The breakthrough came after a sustained joint military effort involving personnel from the 82 Division Garrison, 103 Battalion (Rear), the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service (NN SBS), and the 197 Special Forces Battalion. According to a military operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, the operation was led by the Commander, 82 Division Garrison, with crucial support from the Air Component.
Timeline of the Search and Rescue Operation
Between 6:00 p.m. on July 31 and 6:00 a.m. on August 1, troops continued search operations using actionable intelligence gathered from local sources. The search covered the Inyi, Awlaw, and Akpugo-Eze forests, along with 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 troops to a suspected location where the victims were believed to be held. The troops immediately mobilised and launched a fighting patrol into the area.
On arrival, they discovered Lt. Col. Amobi and Mr. Onwuanra abandoned at the edge of a forest. The civilian was found with a gunshot wound, while the military officer showed signs of exhaustion but was generally stable. Both victims were evacuated to Inyi for initial medical attention before being transferred to the 82 Division Medical Hospital for comprehensive evaluation and treatment.
Victims Recount Their Abduction Ordeal
During preliminary debriefing, the rescued victims disclosed that they had been blindfolded shortly after their abduction and transported to an unknown location. They remained in captivity for ten days, with the kidnappers moving them from place to place to avoid detection. The victims said they were eventually abandoned in a forest around the Enugu–Anambra border as the kidnappers came under sustained operational pressure from the joint military force.
The military attributed the successful rescue to relentless pressure mounted by the ground troops, supported by the Air Component, which maintained continuous dominance over the suspected hideouts. This denied the abductors freedom of movement throughout the 10-day operation. The sustained search-and-rescue mission ultimately forced the kidnappers to flee, leaving their captives behind.
Ongoing Investigations and Community Impact
The military confirmed that further investigations and follow-up operations are ongoing to identify, track, and apprehend those responsible for the abduction. Security forces have not relented in their efforts to crack down on kidnapping networks in the South-East region. The rescue operation is seen as a demonstration of improved inter-agency cooperation between the Army, Navy, and Police in tackling violent crimes.
Local residents of Oji River and surrounding areas have welcomed the rescue, praising the troops for their persistence. While no suspects have been named publicly, the military has assured the public that operations will continue until the kidnappers are brought to justice. The victims are currently receiving medical care and psychological support at the 82 Division Medical Hospital.
