Nigerian troops have rescued four kidnap victims and dismantled a high-profile criminal cell during a series of coordinated strikes across Enugu and Ebonyi States.
The joint operations, conducted by troops of Operation UDO KA alongside sister security agencies, reached a fever pitch on April 28, 2026. In the Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, soldiers from the 82 Division Garrison responded to an emergency tip-off regarding an ongoing abduction on the Akama–Iwollo Road.
The encounter turned into a high-stakes pursuit as troops engaged the kidnappers, forcing them to flee and abandon their captives. The rescued individuals were identified as Chisom Kingsley and Chuoke Chinedu, both locals of Akama, alongside Jonathan Paul Chukwu from Akwa Ibom and Patience John from Taraba State.
“The swift intervention of our personnel, acting on credible intelligence, ensured that these four citizens were returned to safety before their captors could disappear into the bush,” stated Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 82 Division. “We have recovered a motorcycle and a vehicle from the scene, all of which have been handed over to the Nigerian Police to assist in their ongoing investigation.”
While victims were being secured in Enugu, a separate intelligence-led raid was unfolding in the Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. Following the previous capture of notorious insurgent commander Chinedu “Calamity” Igautu, Sector 2 troops leveraged fresh leads to track down another high-ranking operative of the IPOB/ESN network.
The raid resulted in the arrest of Chisom Agashi Ogadego, a suspected criminal kingpin widely known by the alias “Baron.” Military sources confirmed that “Baron” has been a central figure in a string of kidnappings that have recently terrorised Ebonyi communities.
“The arrest of ‘Baron’ is a significant blow to the criminal architecture in the South East,” Lieutenant Colonel Ayeni remarked. “Upon his apprehension, the suspect provided actionable information that led our teams to a hidden cache within Izzi, where we recovered an AK-47 rifle, multiple magazines, and a significant quantity of ammunition.”
The Nigerian Army emphasised that these successes are part of a broader strategy to dismantle the logistics and leadership of insurgent groups through intelligence-heavy operations. Officials noted that the synergy between the military and local communities has been the primary driver behind the recent spike in successful rescues and arrests.
“These coordinated actions underscore the effectiveness of our current momentum,” Ayeni added. “The Nigerian Army remains unwavering in its commitment to protecting lives and property. We urge the public to remain vigilant and continue providing the timely information that allows us to strike these criminal elements before they can cause further harm.”
