Army rescues 12 kidnapped victims, arrests suspects in Enugu

Abdullateef Fowewe

Troops from the 82 Division Garrison, operating under Operation EASTERN SANITY, have rescued 12 kidnapped residents and arrested two suspects in Ette Community, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The operation unfolded on Friday, after a distress call reported the abduction of several locals by suspected kidnappers.

In a statement obtained on Saturday, the Nigerian Army detailed the “swift troops response,” noting that soldiers mobilised “in conjunction with police operatives, Forest Guards and members of the Neighbourhood Watch, advancing to the suspected area where the victims were believed to have been taken.”

Upon arrival, the troops launched “aggressive search and fighting patrols across the general area.”

Overwhelmed by the military’s “rapid response and superior combat readiness,” the kidnappers fled, abandoning their captives. All 12 victims were rescued unharmed, while two suspects linked to the gang were apprehended during the exploitation of the site and are now under interrogation to dismantle the network.

The Army emphasised its ongoing efforts, stating that troops “have intensified aggressive patrols and surveillance across the area to ensure public safety.”

The statement concluded, “The successful rescue further demonstrates the troops’ sustained operational pressure and unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property while restoring lasting security and public confidence across communities in the region.”