Troops of 63 Brigade/Sector 1 Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe have neutralized three kidnappers and rescued a female victim who was being held captive in the Otulu Forest area of Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations 63 Brigade, Asaba, Captain Iliyasu Rijau, in an official statement issued on Tuesday, disclosed that the troops had been tracking the kidnappers since last week after credible intelligence had revealed information about their activities around Issele-Uku.
Although the kidnappers had demanded and received ransom from the victims’ families, the determined troops located their hideout and neutralized three of them after a 30-minute gun duel.
Items recovered from the hideout include: and AK-47 rifle, a magazine, 52 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, a cutlass, four mobile phones, a phone charger, a power bank, a pack of Benson cigarettes and the sum of N2,336,000, abandoned by the criminals.
In the course of the fire exchange, one soldier sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, while the rescued lady also had injuries from the kidnappers’ actions prior to her rescue. Both were immediately evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre in Asaba for medical attention and are currently in stable condition, and the corpses of the kidnappers handed over to the Keystone Police Station in Ogwashi-ukwu for necessary action.
Similarly, on 17th August, 2025 troops of 63 Brigade in conjunction with Operation Delta Sweep in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, responded to a distress call about a kidnapping activity at Ekrodo-Jesse community.
The troops mobilized to the scene, prompting the kidnappers to release their victim and flee into a nearby forest. Although troops pursued the suspects for about 6 kilometers, no contact was made. However, a cordon and search operation led to the discovery of an unsaved dane gun.
The victim, identified as Saviour Okiemute, a 25-year-old, was rescued and reunited with his family.
The Commander 63 Brigade Nigerian Army/ Sector 1 Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) Brigadier General MA Shonibare, commended troops and assured the public that the operation is part of the ongoing efforts by the troops to maintain peace and security in Delta State.
