Gunmen Abduct Three Soldiers, Over 30 Passengers In Enugu 

Enugu State — At least three Nigerian soldiers and over 30 passengers have been abducted by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen in Enugu-Ezike, Igbo Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred on Thursday, January 9, 2025, along the Enugu-Nsukka Road.

The attackers ambushed three buses traveling the route, targeting both military personnel and civilians.

Initial reports indicate that four Nigerian Army personnel were taken during the assault. However, one soldier, Private Usendu Emediong (24NA/87/7560), managed to escape captivity.

The abducted soldiers have been identified as Private Usoro Ezekiel Paul (24NA/87/6751), Private Jeremiah Inimbom Thomas (24NA/87/7937), and Private Victor Itiat Godwin (24NA/87/8348).

SaharaReporters reports that a group of kidnappers, reportedly numbering 17, ambushed and abducted passengers from three buses along a dilapidated road connecting eastern and northern Nigeria.

According to an eyewitness in Enugu-Ezike, the attackers operated for an hour, forcing at least 35 passengers into the bush.

The witness described the attackers as a “17-member ragtag Fulani herdsmen gang,” noting their ability to carry out such an operation was aided by the poor state of the road.

“One of the abducted passengers managed to escape and later revealed he was a soldier traveling with three colleagues from Akwa Ibom to Kaduna in one of the commercial buses.

“Local hunters from the area, while on patrol, encountered the kidnappers in the bush. They overheard one of the abducted victims pleading for rest due to exhaustion but were horrified to hear gunshots as the victim was killed.

However, hours later, the hunters, accompanied by military operatives, recovered the victim’s body, which has since been taken to a morgue.

“As of Sunday morning, a helicopter was seen hovering over the area, raising tensions among villagers, though no rescue operation appears to have been initiated.

The eyewitness added that both the kidnappers and the victims may have already left the bush.

Meanwhile, a military report obtained by SaharaReporters confirmed the abduction of soldiers.

The signal stated that personnel of the 87 Regular Recruits Intake (87RRI) were taken along the Enugu/Nsukka Road.