In a precise, intelligence-led mission, troops from the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army successfully rescued Reverend Johnson Onugwu in Enugu State. The operation was carried out under the umbrella of the Joint Task Force South East as part of Operation UDO KA.
According to an update shared on the Army’s official X (formerly Twitter) account this Friday, the clergyman had been snatched from his home in the Ezimo Community of Udenu Local Government Area around 1:00 a.m. on January 29, 2026.
Upon receiving reliable leads, soldiers stationed in Udenu tracked the abductors to the Itabolo area. The pursuit eventually led to a direct confrontation with the gunmen at Okpakeke Community, where the rescue was finalized.
The ensuing firefight resulted in the neutralization of one kidnapper, while the Reverend was safely rescued without injury. During the cleanup of the scene, troops recovered an AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and 20 rounds of live ammunition.
The Nigerian Army emphasized its ongoing collaboration with other security agencies to safeguard the public. Reaffirming its mission, the military vowed to maintain a high-pressure environment to ensure that criminal elements have no room to operate within the region.
