Troops of 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army/Sector 1 Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe, in collaboration with the Delta State Government House tracker team, have neutralised three kidnappers and rescued a female victim during a daring operation in Otulu Forest, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The operation, which followed credible intelligence on the kidnappers’ activities around Issele-Uku, was launched after the criminals had already collected ransom from their victims’ families. Determined to end their reign of terror, troops engaged the suspects in a 30-minute firefight that left three kidnappers neutralised.
Items recovered from the hideout included an AK-47 rifle, a magazine, 52 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, a cutlass, four mobile phones, a charger, a power bank, a pack of cigarettes and ₦2,336,000 abandoned by the criminals.
During the encounter, a soldier sustained a gunshot wound while the rescued woman also suffered injuries inflicted by her captors. Both were immediately evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, where they are reported to be in stable condition. The remains of the neutralised kidnappers were handed over to the Keystone Police Station in Ogwashi-Uku for further action.
In a separate incident on 17 August, troops of 63 Brigade and Operation Delta Sweep responded to a distress call at Ekrodo-Jesse community, Ethiope West Local Government Area. On arrival, the kidnappers abandoned their victim, 25-year-old Saviour Okiemute, and fled into a nearby forest. Although the troops pursued the suspects for about six kilometres, no further contact was made. A subsequent cordon-and-search operation led to the recovery of an unsaved dane gun.
Okiemute has since been reunited with his family.
Commander of 63 Brigade/Sector 1 Joint Task Force, Brigadier General M.A. Shonibare, commended the troops for their gallantry and assured residents that the operations are part of sustained efforts to enhance peace and security in Delta State.