Troops of the Joint Task Force South-East have rescued five travellers after responding to a distress call about a kidnapping attempt along the 9th Mile axis within the 82 Division Area of Responsibility in Enugu State.
In a statement on Saturday, the military said it received a distress call at about 6:55 p.m. on Friday reporting a suspected attack by alleged IPOB/ESN gunmen on commuters travelling toward Anambra State.
The troops immediately mobilised to the scene and engaged the armed suspects with superior firepower and tactical manoeuvres, according to the statement.
The swift response forced the attackers to abandon their captives, enabling soldiers to rescue five victims unharmed and recover their vehicle intact.
Security forces said they subsequently intensified patrols to track fleeing suspects and prevent criminal elements from regrouping.
The military described the operation as one that reinforced public confidence and further degraded the operational capabilities of hostile actors in the region.
It reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives, securing key routes and dismantling criminal networks, while urging residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to sustain peace and stability.
