By Musa Umar Bologi, Abuja,The Nation
Copyright thenationonlineng
An Army officer, Major M. D. Josiah, who was abducted by gunmen in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, has been rescued by soldiers and community members.
The officer was reportedly kidnapped from his lodge after attending a wedding in the nearby community of Kpakiama between 2:00am and 2:30am last Sunday, where he had retired for the night by heavily armed kidnappers in Bomadi last Sunday and taken into the creeks of Burutu Local Government Area
Eyewitnesses reported that the gunmen stormed the lodge, ransacked rooms, and seized mobile phones from other lodgers.
During the abduction, shots were fired, and bloodstains were later discovered at the scene, indicating a violent confrontation.
However, the spokesman of 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Captain Iliyasu Bawa Rijau, said the military officer regained freedom on Monday,, as a result of “meticulous planning, intelligence gathering, and collaboration” with community leaders and members of Bomadi.
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“This synergy enabled the troops to track the abductors and rescue the senior officer at Tuomor Waterside in Bomadi Local Government Area, Delta State, on September 9, 2025,” he said.
According to Captain Rijau, Major Josiah sustained gunshot wounds during the rescue. He had been evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.
Sources further confirmed that the abandoned vehicle used in the operation was later discovered at Tuomo community on the Tuomo-Ogbobagbene-Tamigbe-Torugbene-Ojobo Road, and had since been recovered by the military Joint Task Force (JTF) stationed in Bomadi.
He said the Commander, 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army/Sector 1, Joint Task Force, Southsouth, Operation Delta Safe, Brig.-Gen M. A. Shonibare, had commended the troops for their bravery and tactical prowess.
“He assured the public that the Nigerian Army remains committed to maintaining peace and security in Delta State and its environs.
“Brig.-Gen Shonibare also expressed his appreciation to the communities in Bomadi for their cooperation and support,” Rijau added.
