Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
In a swift intelligence-led operation, troops of the 14 Brigade, Operation Udo Ka, have rescued a kidnapped male victim, Mr. Onyebuchi Nwaoha, from the clutches of armed abductors in Abia State. The operation, carried out on Thursday, May 14, 2026, involved a coordinated effort by soldiers of the 145 Battalion, the anti-crime outfit Operation Crush, and the Anti-Cultism Unit of the Nigeria Police Force in Umuahia.
According to a statement by the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 14 Brigade, Captain Mazinho Attah, the operation was part of the ongoing "Eastern Sanity II" campaign aimed at rooting out criminal elements in the South-East. The troops acted on precise intelligence, leading them to the location where Mr. Nwaoha was being held captive. The rescue was conducted without any reported casualties, and the victim has since been reunited with his family. Captain Attah also confirmed that several suspects were arrested during the operation and are currently in military custody, assisting with further investigations aimed at dismantling other criminal networks operating in the area.
The operation is a direct response to the rising wave of insecurity and kidnapping-for-ransom that has plagued the region. In recent months, the South-East has witnessed a surge in attacks and abductions linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), as well as other opportunistic criminal gangs. The Nigerian military has intensified its operations in the region, focusing on intelligence-led raids to curb the activities of these groups and restore public safety.
"Troops across the brigade’s operational areas have sustained a heavy presence along major roads and vulnerable communities," Captain Attah said, listing areas such as the ABSU–Okigwe–Ihube Road, the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, and several local government areas including Umunneochi, Bende, Isiala Ngwa, Ukwa East, Ukwa West, Umuahia, and Arochukwu. He emphasized that the ongoing operations are specifically targeted at frustrating the activities of IPOB/ESN and other criminal groups, while also preventing illegal activities such as the unauthorized use of explosives by unlicensed operators.
The rescue of Mr. Nwaoha comes amid a broader crackdown on criminality in the region. In a related development, troops stationed at Osisioma responded to reports of a shooting incident around Brass Street in the Government Residential Area (GRA) of Aba. Upon arrival, they discovered the lifeless body of an unidentified man lying by the roadside, who is believed to have been attacked by unknown gunmen. The body was later evacuated by emergency responders, and investigations are ongoing to apprehend the assailants.
The Nigerian Army has reiterated its commitment to maintaining peace and security in the South-East, conducting coordinated night patrols and stand-to operations around strategic locations. Patrols have been extended to flashpoints and surrounding communities, including Isiugu, Akanu-Ukwu, Ameakpo, Nguzu, Arochukwu, Bende, and other adjoining areas. The military has also called on citizens to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could aid in the fight against crime and insurgency.
This successful operation follows a pattern of recent military successes in the region. Earlier in May, troops of 14 Brigade under Operation UDO KA responded to a distress call over the alleged illegal possession of a firearm at Umuoriehe, leading to an arrest. In April, the brigade deepened its collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to enhance security in Abia State. Just a day before the rescue, troops in Kaduna and Abia had nabbed criminal suspects and recovered weapons, demonstrating a concerted and sustained effort by security forces across the country.
Captain Mazinho Attah, the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 14 Brigade, who confirmed the operation, remains the key source for this report.
As efforts to identify and dismantle additional criminal networks continue, the rescued victim and the arrested suspects remain in custody for further investigation. The Nigerian Army has reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring that the South-East is rid of all forms of criminality, emphasizing that operations will continue until lasting peace is achieved.
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