…10-year-old victim, 18 passengers, others regain freedom in coordinated military operations

By Tola Gbadamosi

No fewer than 23 kidnapped victims have been rescued in separate daring operations by troops of the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, following a string of abduction incidents across parts of Ondo State.

The successful rescue operations, which took place in Akoko South-East Local Government Area and the Akunnu-Aiyere axis bordering Ondo and Kogi states, have brought relief to residents and reinforced the army’s resolve to flush out criminal elements from the state.

According to military sources, the first incident occurred along the Auga-Isua road in Akoko South-East LGA, where troops stationed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Auga responded to a distress call regarding a kidnapping in progress.

The soldiers swiftly advanced into the surrounding forest and confronted the kidnappers, who, overwhelmed by the troops’ tactical pressure, fled, abandoning five of their victims.

One of the rescued persons, who sustained injuries during the ordeal, was immediately evacuated for medical attention, while the remaining four were safely escorted to Ikare Akoko and thereafter resumed their journey to Akure.

Shortly after, another distress call was received from the Akunnu-Aiyere road, a notorious hotspot for highway kidnappings. Intelligence revealed that a commercial Toyota Hummer bus carrying 18 passengers had been intercepted by armed abductors.

The troops once again launched a coordinated response, navigating rugged terrain and tracking the abductors through bush paths. The intense pursuit forced the kidnappers to abandon the hostages, who included 17 adults and a baby. All were rescued unhurt.

The victims were taken to Akunnu Park, from where they continued their travels, while the recovered vehicle was taken into military custody at the FOB.

In a separate rescue operation, a 10-year-old child was also freed from captivity after troops intercepted a planned ransom exchange. Acting on credible intelligence that kidnappers around Sabon Hanya, along the Aiyere-Kabba road, were expecting a ransom payment, the soldiers laid an ambush.

Their timely intervention led to the arrest of one of the abductors and the safe recovery of the child, who had spent three days in captivity.

Confirming the rescue, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 32 Brigade, Major Njoka Irabor, also disclosed that troops apprehended a suspected informant identified as Mr. Abubakar, popularly known as Maude, operating in Auga.

Preliminary findings revealed that the suspect was part of a kidnapping network tasked with spying on troop movements and relaying intelligence to criminal gangs.

Both suspects are currently in military custody and will be handed over to relevant security agencies for further investigation and prosecution.

The rescue of the 23 victims has been widely commended by residents, as the Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to securing lives and property in the region.