Troops of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, operating under the Joint Task Force South East as part of Operation UDO KA, have successfully rescued Reverend Johnson Onugwu, a clergyman abducted from his home in Enugu State.
According to a statement from the Nigerian Army’s X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, Onugwu was kidnapped by gunmen around 1:00 a.m. on January 29, 2026, at his residence in Ezimo Community, Udenu Local Government Area.
The army said its personnel, acting on credible intelligence, tracked the abductors to the Itabolo area before engaging them in a gun battle at Okpakeke Community.
“One of the kidnappers was neutralised during the operation, and Reverend Onugwu was rescued unharmed,” the statement said. “Security forces also recovered an AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and twenty rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.”
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property in the region.
“We will continue to deny criminal elements freedom of action within our area of responsibility,” the statement added.
This rescue operation highlights the ongoing efforts of the military, working alongside other security agencies, to curb kidnapping and violent crimes in Enugu and the South East.
