Items recovered from the scene of the encounter included one AK-47 rifle, two magazines and 20 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
Troops of the Nigerian Army attached to the 82 Division, in collaboration with other security agencies, have rescued a kidnapped cleric, Reverend Johnson Anayo Onugwu, following a gun battle with suspected kidnappers in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
It was learnt that the cleric was abducted in the early hours of Thursday, January 29, 2026, when armed men stormed his residence in Ezimo community at about 1:00 a.m., whisking him away to an unknown location.
However, following actionable intelligence, troops of the 82 Division Garrison were swiftly mobilised and deployed to the Udenu axis to trail the abductors.
The troops reportedly tracked the kidnappers to the Itabolo general area, where a further pursuit led them to Okpakeke community.
A security expert, Zagazola Makama, who confirmed the development on Friday, said the gun battle resulted in the successful rescue of the abducted cleric.
“The troops engaged the kidnappers at Okpakeke community in a gun battle, which led to the successful rescue of the victim,” Makama disclosed.
During the operation, the soldiers were said to have expended about 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. No casualty was recorded on the side of the military or other security operatives involved in the operation.
“One of the criminals was neutralised on the spot during the firefight,” a security source told Zagazola.
Items recovered from the scene of the encounter included one AK-47 rifle, two magazines and 20 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The rescued cleric, Reverend Onugwu, was immediately evacuated from the area and has since been reunited with his family, bringing relief to residents of Ezimo community who had expressed deep concern over his safety.