Army Launches Search For Abducted Soldier In Abia

The Nigerian Army (NA) has on Wednesday night disclosed that it has launched a search and rescue operation for one of its soldiers abducted in the Ohafia area of Abia State.

This is even as the troops of the Nigerian Army killed three members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), while a soldier paid the supreme price during the rescue operation.

Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement, also refuted the trending report that its troops invaded the Amangu community in Abia state.

Gen. Nwachukwu said, “the attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to some publications making the rounds on social media and some mainstream media alleging that troops of Headquarters 82 Division NA invaded the Amangu community in Abia state. Considering the weighty nature of the allegation, the Nigerian Army deems it necessary to clear the air on this atrocious incident.

“On 2 November 2022, a soldier named Staff Sergeant Bassey Ikunugwan, who was officially on leave pass, was abducted along Road Okwu-Ebem Ohafia in Abia State. Consequently, on Thursday 3 November 2022, acting on a credible intelligence report, troops embarked on a Search and Rescue Operation at Amangu Village/Forest, having confirmed same as an Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) enclave, where the soldier was reportedly held, hostage. During the search and rescue operations, contact was made with members of the proscribed armed groups resulting in exchange of fire”.

The Army Spokesperson added that, in continuation of the search and rescue operations, on 4 November 2022, troops deployed at Okon Aku in Abia State came in contact with members of the armed groups, during which troops neutralized one of the criminals and recovered one AK 47 rifle with a magazine loaded with 7 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) and one mobile phone.

“In a follow-up operation on 5 November 2022, troops raided another enclave of the groups around Amangu Village in Abia State. During the operation, troops neutralized two of the criminals, while some fled with gunshot wounds. Troops recovered two locally fabricated AK 47 rifles, four Pump Action guns, one locally made Pistol, one Sniper rifle, six magazines, 13 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) and one Motorcycle.

“Other items recovered from the dissidents are 2 CCTV cameras, one solar panel, flags, one walkie-talkie, 2 mobile phones, two pamphlets of Biafran anthem, one INEC box, 12 face caps, machetes, pairs of combat boots, pairs of rain boot, camouflage uniforms, one transistor radio, two jungle hats, two knee guards, one power bank, one INEC image capturing machine and a PVC. Sadly, during these engagements, one soldier paid the supreme sacrifice,” the statement further revealed.

He added that the Nigerian Army will leave no stone unturned in the search of the abducted soldier.