Troops of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, operating under the Joint Task Force South East in Operation UDO KA, have rescued a kidnapped clergyman, Reverend Johnson Onugwu, in Enugu State.
The rescue followed a swift, intelligence-driven operation after the cleric was abducted from his residence in Ezimo Community, Udenu Local Government Area, at about 1:00 a.m. on January 29, 2026.
According to a post obtained from the Nigerian Army’s X account on Friday, the troops acted on credible intelligence to track the abductors.
The post stated, “Acting on credible intelligence, troops deployed in Udenu tracked the kidnappers to the Itabolo general area and later engaged them at Okpakeke Community.”
It added that, “The encounter resulted in a gun battle during which one of the kidnappers was neutralised, and the clergyman was rescued unharmed. Security forces also recovered an AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and twenty rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.”
The Nigerian Army said it is working in collaboration with other security agencies, reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property, and vowed to continue denying criminal elements freedom of action within its area of responsibility.
