Troops of the 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army/Sector 1 Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, have neutralised three suspected kidnappers and rescued a female victim during a daring operation in Otulu Forest, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.
In a statement Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations, 63 Brigade Asaba Captain Iliyasu Bawa Rijau said the operation, conducted in collaboration with a tracker team from the Delta State Government House, Asaba, followed credible intelligence that the kidnappers had been terrorising communities around Issele-Uku. Despite collecting ransom from victims’ families, the suspects were tracked to their hideout.
A 30-minute firefight ensued, leaving three kidnappers dead. Items recovered included an AK-47 rifle, 52 rounds of ammunition, a cutlass, mobile phones, a power bank, cigarettes, and ₦2.3 million abandoned by the gang. One soldier sustained a leg injury, while the rescued woman, who was also injured, was taken alongside the soldier to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, where both are in stable condition. The corpses of the suspects were handed over to the police in Ogwashi-Uku.
In a separate operation on August 17, troops responding to a distress call in Ekrodo-Jesse community, Ethiope West LGA, rescued another kidnap victim, Saviour Okiemute, aged 25. The kidnappers abandoned him and fled into a forest during pursuit. A subsequent search uncovered an unserviceable dane gun.
Commander, 63 Brigade/OPDS, Brigadier General M.A. Shonibare, commended the troops for their professionalism, assuring that operations will continue until peace and security are fully restored in Delta State.
