In a coordinated security effort, troops from the 14 Brigade Headquarters under Operation Udo Ka, alongside other law enforcement agencies, executed an intelligence-driven mission in Abia State that successfully freed a kidnapped man.
The operation, which involved soldiers from the 145 Battalion, Operation Crush, and the Anti-Cultism Unit of the Nigeria Police Force in Umuahia, resulted in the liberation of Mr. Onyebuchi Nwaoha, who had been taken by armed individuals.
Captain Mazinho Attah, the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 14 Brigade, announced this on Thursday, noting that the mission is part of the broader Eastern Sanity II initiative.
According to Captain Attah, the rescued victim and several apprehended suspects are now in custody as investigations continue. Efforts are underway to identify and dismantle other criminal groups in the region.
He highlighted that troops maintain a strong presence on major highways and in vulnerable communities, including the ABSU–Okigwe–Ihube Road, the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, and various areas in Umunneochi, Bende, Isiala Ngwa, Ukwa East, Ukwa West, Umuahia, and Arochukwu Local Government Areas.
The ongoing operations aim to disrupt the activities of IPOB/ESN and other criminal elements, as well as to prevent unauthorized use of explosives by unlicensed operators.
In a separate incident, troops at Osisioma responded to reports of gunfire near Brass Street in GRA, Aba, where they discovered the body of an unidentified man.
“Upon reaching the scene, troops found the body of an unknown man lying by the roadside after he was reportedly attacked by unidentified gunmen,” Captain Attah said.
The body was later taken away by emergency services, and investigations into the attack are ongoing.
Captain Attah also reported that troops conducted coordinated night patrols and stand-to operations at key locations, which remained calm and secure during the period. Patrols were extended to flashpoints such as Isiugu, Akanu-Ukwu, Ameakpo, Nguzu, Arochukwu, Bende, and surrounding communities, with troops working alongside other security agencies to maintain order.