In a daring operation, the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) has triumphantly rescued two siblings previously held captive by ruthless gunmen in Anambra state.
Dr. John Metchie, the deputy commander-general (Technical Operations) of the NHFSS, revealed this gripping tale to journalists on Sunday in Abuja, unveiling the sharp determination of the hunters.
The victims, Chijioke George Igwe and Uchenna Augustine Igwe, were returning home from a wedding ceremony on the fateful evening of August 16 when their lives took a harrowing turn. At Nkwelle-Ezunaka, in the Oyi Local Government Area, they were ambushed by armed assailants who unleashed a hail of gunfire into the air, sowing chaos and fear before violently dragging them from their vehicle and into the clutches of the forest.
It was the swift response of NHFSS operatives from Umueri that proved critical in snatching the siblings from the jaws of despair after a desperate call from a concerned citizen echoed into the night.
Mr. Joseph Obaelue, the chief security officer of Umueri and a key member of the NHFSS, recounted the dramatic moments following a distress call received around 9 p.m. on that fateful day. Without hesitation, they plunged into the depths of the forest to retrieve the abducted brothers.
Tracking their movements to Umueri along the treacherous Onitsha-Adani forest route, the team engaged in a fierce standoff, exchanging gunfire with the kidnappers. The assailants, realizing the walls were closing in, fled into the dense underbrush, abandoning their captives. During their captivity, the victims had been forced to transfer a staggering N1.3 million into the kidnappers’ account right before the rescue.
“The two brothers were liberated, along with a stolen Lexus Jeep 330 and a Toyota Highlander SUV that were also recovered from the scene,” Mr. Obaelue reported, his voice filled with pride.
Earlier that same day, the hunters had apprehended two members of another criminal syndicate notorious for terrorizing victims over the phone, using chilling threats to extort money under the guise of assassination for hire.
Mr. Obaelue commended his men for their bravery and tenacity in the face of danger, acknowledging the vital collaboration with the military, police, Civil Defence, SSS, and vigilante services in battling the pervasive threats of kidnapping, banditry, and armed herdsmen terrorizing the forests.
He also expressed gratitude to Dr. Joshua Osatimehin, the commander-general of the NHFSS, for fostering a culture of discipline, cohesion, and unwavering purpose within the ranks.
