ENUGU — In a high-stakes forest raid, troops of the Nigerian Army have smashed a kidnapping syndicate in Enugu, pulling 12 victims out of captivity and dragging two suspects into custody.
The rescue mission, executed by a crack team from the 82 Division, turned into a heavy shootout when troops tracked the criminals to their hidden camp. Caught off guard by the superior firepower, the gunmen reportedly abandoned their captives and scrambled into the thick brush, leaving behind two of their accomplices who were intercepted while trying to escape.
Military sources confirmed that the 12 rescued victims, though visibly shaken, were recovered alive and have been moved to a medical facility for checks before they head home to their families.
The two captured suspects are currently being “squeezed” for intelligence as the military intensifies its hunt for the fleeing remnants of the gang. This latest victory is being hailed as a major blow to the kidnapping rings that have recently tried to gain a foothold in the state’s outskirts.
This operation is part of the broader “Operation Udo Ka” mandate, which has seen the military ramp up its presence in the Southeast to flush out insurgents and bandits. Following the raid, the Army has urged locals to keep their “ears to the ground” and report any suspicious characters, especially those seeking treatment for gunshot wounds.
