The Nigerian Army has rescued Mrs Adonkie, the wife of retired Brigadier General Basil Adonkie, less than 24 hours after she was abducted from her residence in the Federal Capital Territory, following a coordinated military operation that also led to the arrest of two suspected members of the kidnapping syndicate.
The rescue operation was announced by the Nigerian Army in a statement published on its official Facebook page on Thursday. The military said troops relied on credible intelligence to track the abductors and moved through the Aco Estate–Goza Community axis, where they eventually made contact with the kidnappers.
According to the Army, sustained pressure from the advancing troops forced the kidnappers to abandon their victim and escape into surrounding bushes. Mrs Adonkie was subsequently found and rescued at Angwan Sabo Village, while soldiers continued efforts to prevent the suspects from regrouping or escaping the wider area.
The incident began on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, when Mrs Adonkie was abducted from her residence in the FCT. Following the report of the kidnapping, troops from the Guards Brigade and Army Headquarters Garrison commenced a coordinated operation aimed at locating the victim and securing her safe release.
Military personnel expanded their search across routes believed to have been used by the kidnappers. The operation focused particularly on the Aco Estate–Goza Community axis and surrounding locations as troops attempted to establish the direction taken by the abductors after the initial abduction.
The Army said its forces eventually came into contact with the kidnappers during the operation. The pressure created by the military advance reportedly compelled the suspects to abandon Mrs Adonkie before fleeing into nearby bushes.
Her rescue at Angwan Sabo Village marked the immediate success of the operation, but troops did not halt their efforts after securing the victim. Additional personnel were deployed along the Aco Estate–Angwan Sayawa axis to block possible escape routes and maintain pressure on the fleeing suspects.
The military’s follow-up operation on Wednesday, September 2, produced another breakthrough. Troops intercepted two individuals suspected of belonging to the kidnapping syndicate near Gaube Village in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.
The interception also resulted in the recovery of a significant quantity of military-grade weaponry and ammunition. According to the Army, soldiers recovered an AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine and 19 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.
The recovery of the weapon and ammunition is expected to form part of the ongoing investigation into the kidnapping and the wider activities of the suspected criminal network operating in the area.
The Army said clearance and tracking operations remained active across the affected communities as troops continued searching for other members of the syndicate. The military indicated that the operation would continue until additional suspects linked to the kidnapping are apprehended.
The development highlights the continued use of intelligence-led military operations in responding to kidnapping incidents within the Federal Capital Territory and its surrounding communities. In this case, information provided to troops enabled them to narrow their search and apply pressure before the abductors could move their victim farther from the area.
The involvement of troops from both the Guards Brigade and Army Headquarters Garrison also reflected the coordinated nature of the response following the abduction. Rather than limiting the operation to the immediate location of the incident, soldiers extended their pursuit across connecting routes and deployed additional personnel to possible escape corridors.
The rescue came less than a day after Mrs Adonkie was taken from her home, allowing the military to recover her before the kidnappers could establish a prolonged period of captivity.
The subsequent interception of two suspected members of the syndicate and recovery of an AK-47 rifle further broadened the outcome of the operation. The Army, however, did not indicate that the suspects arrested were the only individuals involved, stressing that other members of the group were still being pursued.
Troops have therefore continued clearance and tracking activities around the Aco Estate, Angwan Sabo, Angwan Sayawa and Gaube areas as part of efforts to locate the remaining suspects.
The Nigerian Army also acknowledged the role of residents in supporting the security operation. It commended members of the public for their vigilance and cooperation, stressing that information from communities can assist security personnel in identifying and disrupting criminal activity.
The military reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property across the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring areas. It also said it would continue cooperating with other security agencies to strengthen intelligence-driven joint operations.
According to the Army, the broader objective is to dismantle criminal networks involved in kidnapping and other security threats while improving the safety of communities within the FCT and adjoining areas.
The rescue of Mrs Adonkie and the arrest of two suspected members of the kidnapping syndicate therefore represent an ongoing operation rather than its conclusion. With other suspects still being pursued, troops are maintaining their presence across the identified routes and surrounding communities.
The military’s account indicates that the operation moved from an urgent response to the abduction on Tuesday into a wider pursuit operation that continued into Wednesday. The recovery of the victim, followed by the interception of suspected accomplices and seizure of an AK-47 rifle and ammunition, has given investigators additional leads as the search for other members of the syndicate continues.
The Army has not disclosed further details about the identity of the two suspects or whether they have provided information concerning the remaining members of the group. For now, military clearance and tracking operations remain underway as security personnel work to prevent the suspects still at large from escaping the area.
The case also underscores the security challenges posed by kidnapping networks operating around the nation’s capital, where rapid intelligence gathering and coordinated responses can be critical to rescuing victims before they are moved deeper into remote areas.
In Mrs Adonkie’s case, the military said the operation succeeded in forcing the kidnappers to abandon her during the advance by troops. She was subsequently recovered safely at Angwan Sabo Village, while soldiers continued pursuing those responsible.
The Nigerian Army has assured residents that its collaboration with other security agencies will continue, with intelligence sharing and joint operations forming part of efforts to disrupt criminal networks and strengthen security throughout the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring communities.
Nigerian Army Rescues Retired General’s Wife Less Than 24 Hours After FCT Abduction
