The Defence Headquarters in Abuja has confirmed that the abducted Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Daniel Onyishi, has been rescued from kidnappers’ hands. Onyishi was kidnapped on June 12, 2025, in Anambra State and has since been in captivity. However, on July 2, 2025, troops from Operation Udoka, in partnership with officers from the Department of State Services (DSS), raided a hideout in Idemili North Local Government Area and successfully rescued him.
While briefing newsmen in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, stated that the operation was well-coordinated and based on strong intelligence. During the raid, three suspects were arrested. Their names are Emeka Ede, Okwudili Aja, and Onyebuchi Aja. These men are believed to be the brains behind the kidnapping.
General Kangye added that a large quantity of weapons, different kinds of ammunition, and illegal drugs were recovered from the criminals’ hideout. “All recovered items are now in the custody of the military, and the suspects are undergoing serious interrogation,” he said.
The Defence Headquarters said the success of the operation was made possible by the clear directive from the Commander of Operation Udoka and the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Enugu, who ordered full-scale efforts to find and rescue the NDLEA officer.
Meanwhile, still addressing security issues in the country, the Defence Headquarters spoke on the controversial detention of some traditional and community leaders from Okuama community in Delta State. The military said it has not yet received any court order telling them to release the detained individuals.
The Federal High Court in Warri, presided over by Justice H. A. Ngajiwa, had on June 30, 2025, ordered the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, to produce one of the detained leaders, Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, in court on September 30. Prof. Ekpekpo is the President General of Ewu Kingdom. He was arrested in 2024 alongside several others in connection with the killing of 17 Nigerian soldiers who were on a peacekeeping mission to Okuama.
Other detained persons include Mr. Julius Oghoroko, Mr. Bernard Esegba, Pa Dennis Okugbaye, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Pa Anthony Ahwemuria, and Mrs. Rita Akata. Unfortunately, one of the community leaders, Pa James Oghoroko, who was a former President General of Okuama, died while in military detention on December 4, 2024. Pa Okugbaye was also said to have collapsed during his time in detention and had to be rushed to a hospital.
Despite the court ruling, the Defence Headquarters said they have not been officially served with the court order. “The military has legal departments. If we receive such an order, our legal advisers will study it and advise the authorities. We are committed to the rule of law,” General Kangye emphasized.
Giving a broad view of military operations across the country, Kangye also provided updates on different ongoing operations like Hadin Kai in the North-East, Fasin Yamma in the North-West, Safe Haven in the Middle Belt, Udoka in the South-East, and Delta Safe in the South-South.
He said that between April and June 2025, the military recorded major breakthroughs. According to him, several terrorist commanders and notorious bandit leaders were killed. The military also dismantled their logistics and supply chains.
“In total, 1,191 terrorists were arrested, 543 kidnap victims were rescued, and 682 terrorists and their family members surrendered to the Nigerian Army,” he stated.
Some of the top terrorist leaders who were neutralised include Amir Abu Fatimah, Auta Abdul Jamilu, Salisu Mallam Jidda, Maiwada, Mai Dada, and Nwachi Eze, popularly known as Onowu. These names had long been on the watchlist of security agencies.
The Defence Headquarters used the opportunity to appeal to citizens to continue providing useful information to security agencies and to remain calm, assuring that efforts are ongoing to maintain peace across the country.
