The Defence Headquarters on Thursday announced that troops of Operation Udoka, in coordination with DSS operatives, successfully rescued the Anambra State NDLEA Commander during a raid conducted on July 2, 2025.
The operation targeted the residences of suspected kidnappers and members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Recall that the Commander, Daniel Onyishi, was kidnapped in the early hours of June 12, 2025, along Winner Road, Awka, prompting the Commander Operation Udoka and GOC, 82 Division, Enugu, to direct troops and other components of the Joint Task Force to go all out and rescue the NDLEA Commander.
Major General Markus Kangye, Director, Defence Media Operation, while briefing the media, said, “During the encounters, three suspects identified as Emeka Ede, Okwudili Aja and Onyebuchi Aja were arrested.
“Intelligence report has it that the suspects masterminded the kidnapping of the NDLEA Commander of Anambra State Command on June 12 2025.
“Items recovered from them were assorted weapons and a large cache of ammunition as well as some illicit drugs. The items are in the custody of troops ,while suspects are currently undergoing interrogation.
Major General Kangye said, “Troops of Operation Udoka, while sustaining offensive operations between 28 – 30 June 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with terrorists in Owerri West and Ihiala LGAs of Imo and Anambra States, respectively.
During the operations, they arrested 21 suspects dealing in illicit drugs, while arms, ammunition, IED-making materials, vehicles, motorcycles and mobile phones were recovered from them.
“In a related development, troops on June 26 2025, acting on credible intelligence, arrested two suspects at a Point of Sale otherwise known as POS belonging to an IPOB/ESN sponsor in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State.
“Troops recovered eight mobile phones, a transaction booklet and the sum of N1,561,400.00 only from the suspects. The suspects are currently undergoing interrogations.
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