Soldiers on a surveillance patrol stopped gunmen in the Oviri-Ogor community in Delta State’s Ughelli North local government area from kidnapping a resident of the community.
Additionally, the soldiers prevented an abduction attempt by Fulani herdsmen on passengers travelling along the Ughelli axis of the East-West road.
The Kidnappers reportedly followed one of their victims to his recently finished building on HRM Igere III Road in the Oviri-Ogor community over the weekend, but they were confronted with his absence.
According to a community source, he revealed that the kidnappers had raided their victim’s home at approximately 8 p.m. that day, firing intermittently.
“They did not see him, and in that process, they went away with a yet-to-be identified person before the arrival of the Nigerian Army, which mounted surveillance in the vicinity.
According to the community source, “This road leading from Oviri-Ogor community market to the East West road has been a disaster for years now, as people living there could only sleep with their eyes and ears open because of a possible attack.
“The government should come to our rescue, as there is no night and we don’t hear gunshots. Nobody dare pass through that road as from 6:30 pm being an Okada rider or driver.”
In the same vein, following an almost hour-long gunfight with gunmen, soldiers freed passengers from the hands of their suspected kidnappers.
“We were kidnapped along Ughelli Patani Road; they butchered some of the passengers, and the driver of the bus is still missing.
“They took some of our phones and money, but thank God for the Nigerian soldiers that came to rescue us alive. Some people are still missing, but I know they will be rescued,” revealed one of the rescued victims, Comrade Ekiyor Andrew.
The Nigerian Army confirmed the incidents in a statement posted on its verified X handle, “In a remarkable display of bravery, troops of the Nigerian Army deployed for internal security duties successfully thwarted a kidnapping attempt by a suspected terrorist group along the Ughelli-Patani Road in Delta State.
“The soldiers’ swift response to a distress call resulted in the rescue of passengers who had been kidnapped while travelling in a commercial bus.
“The troops, upon receiving the distress call, rapidly mobilised and confronted the terrorists, who were armed with assorted weapons. A fierce firefight ensued, compelling the terrorists to abandon their captives and flee the scene.
“The rescued passengers have been taken into safe custody, where they are receiving necessary care and support. Meanwhile, the troops are currently pursuing the fleeing terrorists.”
