Published by Osasere Edomwonyi Ikpoba
In a swift and decisive operation that underscores the military's growing capacity for rapid response, troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued Mrs. Adonkie, the wife of retired Brigadier General Basil Adonkie, less than 24 hours after she was abducted from her residence in the Federal Capital Territory. The rescue, executed by the Guards Brigade and the Army Headquarters Garrison, resulted in the arrest of two suspected kidnappers and the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, marking a significant victory against the rising tide of insecurity plaguing the nation's capital.
The ordeal began late on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, when Mrs. Adonkie was forcefully taken from her home at approximately 10:30 p.m.. The abduction of a high-profile military family member triggered an immediate and coordinated response from security forces. Acting on credible intelligence, troops from the Brigade and the Army Headquarters Garrison were rapidly deployed in a coordinated pursuit of the kidnappers. Military sources confirmed that the troops mobilized swiftly and pursued the abductors along three separate fronts in a desperate bid to prevent them from escaping with the victim.
The operation unfolded across multiple communities in the Federal Capital Territory. Troops advanced through the ACO Estate and Gosa Community axis, where they made contact with the kidnappers. The relentless pressure mounted by the troops forced the kidnappers to abandon their victim and flee into nearby bushes. The troops successfully rescued Mrs. Adonkie around Angwan-Sabo Village, while another group of soldiers continued the pursuit of the fleeing criminals along the ACO Estate-Angwan Sayawa axis.
The operation continued into the early hours of Wednesday, September 2, demonstrating the military's determination to dismantle the criminal network. A second group, comprising troops of the 176 Guards Battalion and 197 Special Forces Battalion, was deployed to block and intercept the fleeing members of the kidnap syndicate. At about 11:09 a.m. on Wednesday, the troops made contact with the fleeing suspects near Gaube Village in the Kuje Area Council of the FCT. During the encounter, the troops successfully intercepted and arrested two suspected kidnappers.
The operation also led to a significant recovery of weapons. Troops recovered an AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, and 19 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition from the suspects. The Guards Brigade confirmed that the rescued victim had been reunited with her family, while the two arrested suspects remained in custody for profiling and further investigation.
The Nigerian Army has emphasized that clearance and tracking operations are still ongoing across the area to apprehend other members of the kidnapping syndicate. The military has also intensified operations within the area to track the fleeing criminals, with officials noting that the morale and fighting efficiency of the troops remain high. In a statement, the Army commended residents for their vigilance and cooperation and assured the public of its commitment to protecting lives and property.
This successful rescue operation comes at a time of heightened concern over the escalating security crisis in the Federal Capital Territory. Just days before this incident, the FCT Police Command had paraded 14 suspects linked to a one-chance robbery syndicate operating in Port Harcourt, highlighting the widespread nature of criminal activities across the country. The abduction of a retired general's wife, however, struck a particularly sensitive chord, given the victim's connection to the military establishment and the potential implications for national security.
The operation has been widely praised as a demonstration of the importance of rapid mobilisation, coordinated pursuit, and intelligence-led action in responding to kidnapping incidents within the FCT. The military's ability to rescue the victim within hours of her abduction, arrest two suspects, and recover weapons sends a clear message that the days of impunity for kidnappers in the nation's capital may be numbered. However, with other members of the syndicate still at large, the Army has made it clear that the operation is far from over. The pursuit continues, and the fight to secure Abuja from the grip of criminal elements is intensifying.
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