Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A joint military task force has successfully rescued an abducted senior Nigerian Army officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ofor Amobi, and a civilian, Mr. Ikechukwu Onwuanra, following an intensive 10-day search-and-rescue operation across forests and communities in Enugu State. The rescue operation, which culminated in the early hours of Saturday, August 1, 2026, was confirmed by counter-insurgency and Lake Chad security analyst Zagazola Makama, who cited intelligence sources, and subsequently reported by multiple national media outlets.
The breakthrough came after sustained operations by troops of Sector 1, Operation UDO KA (OPUK), comprising personnel of the 82 Division Garrison, the 103 Battalion (Rear), the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service, and the 197 Special Forces Battalion. The operation was carried out under the leadership of the Commander of the 82 Division Garrison, with critical support from the Air Component, which maintained continuous surveillance and operational dominance over suspected criminal hideouts throughout the 10-day operation.
According to military sources, troops conducted intelligence-led search operations between 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31, and 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 1, across the forests of Inyi, Awlaw, and Akpugo-Eze, as well as adjoining communities in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State. The operation received a critical boost at approximately 2:00 a.m. on Saturday when the Divisional Police Officer of the Inyi Division alerted the troops to the suspected location of the kidnapped victims.
Acting swiftly on the actionable intelligence, troops launched a fighting patrol into the area, where they discovered Lieutenant Colonel Amobi and Mr. Onwuanra abandoned at the edge of a forest. The civilian was found with a gunshot wound. Both victims were immediately evacuated to Inyi before being transferred to the 82 Division Medical Hospital for treatment and comprehensive medical evaluation.
During preliminary debriefing, the victims disclosed that they had been blindfolded shortly after their abduction and transported to an unknown location. They told investigators that their captors later abandoned them in a forest around the Enugu-Anambra border as military operations intensified and the kidnappers came under sustained operational pressure. Military sources attributed the successful rescue to the relentless pressure mounted by the joint task force, supported by the Air Component, which denied the abductors freedom of movement and restricted their ability to evade capture throughout the operation.
The military confirmed that both victims had sustained gunshot wounds and were receiving medical attention. The troops' sustained search-and-rescue mission ultimately forced the kidnappers to abandon the captives and flee. Security agencies have continued follow-up operations to identify, track, and arrest those responsible for the abduction. The military said further details on the operation would be made available later.
The rescue of Lieutenant Colonel Ofor Amobi and Mr. Ikechukwu Onwuanra marks a significant operational success for the Nigerian military in the South-East region, where kidnapping for ransom has become a persistent security challenge. The operation also highlights the effectiveness of joint security coordination and intelligence sharing between the military, the police, and other security agencies in responding to abductions and rescuing victims. As investigations and follow-up operations continue, the military has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that those responsible for such crimes are brought to justice.
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