Troops of the Nigerian Army’s Guards Brigade have rescued Mrs Adonkie, wife of retired Brig.-Gen. Basil Adonkie, hours after she was abducted from her residence in Abuja.
The rescue followed a coordinated military operation launched after the woman was kidnapped at about 10:30 p.m. on September 1, with troops pursuing the suspected kidnappers through parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
The Guards Brigade disclosed the development in a special situation report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, saying troops from the Brigade and Army Headquarters Garrison were deployed immediately after the abduction and advanced through ACO Estate and Gosa Community in pursuit of the assailants.
The operation eventually led troops to the area around Angwan-Sabo Village, where they made contact with the kidnappers and successfully rescued the victim.
While one group of soldiers focused on securing Mrs Adonkie and moving her to safety, another continued the pursuit of the fleeing suspects.
The operation continued into Wednesday morning, with troops of the 176 Guards Battalion and 197 Special Forces Battalion intercepting two suspected members of the kidnapping group at about 11:09 a.m. around Gaube Village in Kuje Area Council.
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The soldiers recovered an AK-47 rifle and a magazine containing 19 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition from the suspects, according to the situation report.
The Guards Brigade said Mrs Adonkie had since been reunited with her family, while the two arrested suspects remained in military custody for profiling and further investigation.
It added that troops were conducting further exploitation to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected kidnap syndicate involved in the abduction.
The incident highlights the security challenges posed by kidnapping in the FCT, where criminal groups have continued to target residents and motorists in some communities and areas on the outskirts of the capital.
Security agencies have in recent years increased patrols, surveillance and special operations in vulnerable areas of the FCT in response to kidnapping and other violent crimes.
The Guards Brigade said the latest operation demonstrated the troops’ readiness to respond to security threats, adding that their morale and fighting efficiency remained high.
The military said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the group and bring the investigation to a conclusion.
NAN
