Military Rescues Abducted Officer in Delta
…Commends community for support
By The9jaTREND
The Nigerian military has commended residents of Bomadi Community, headquarters of Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, for their collaboration and support in rescuing an Army officer abducted by gunmen in the locality last Sunday night.
The commendation was contained in a statement signed by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Captain Liyasu Bawa Rijau, and made available to Journalists in Warri on Sunday.
The statement quoted the Commander, 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army/Sector 1, Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation Delta Safe, Brigadier General M. A. Shonibare, as describing the collaboration as “a testament to the growing trust and partnership between the Nigerian Army and local communities in the fight against criminality.”
Nigeria’s Niger-Delta region, where Bomadi is located, has witnessed recurring incidents of violent crime, including abductions, piracy, and armed attacks. Security forces in the area operate under Operation Delta Safe—a Joint Task Force launched in 2016 to combat militancy, crude oil theft, kidnapping, and other forms of criminality threatening oil infrastructure and national security.
While also commending the troops for their bravery and tactical prowess, Shonibare said the successful operation “demonstrates the Nigerian Army’s capacity to respond decisively to security challenges and protect the lives and property of citizens.”
According to the statement, the abducted officer, Major M.D. Josiah was rescued alive in the creeks of Bomadi, following meticulous planning, intelligence gathering, and collaboration with community leaders and members of Bomadi.”
It partly read, “In a daring and precision operation, troops of the 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, successfully rescued Major M.D. Josiah, a senior officer who was abducted by gunmen in Bomadi, Delta State, on September 8, 2025.
“The rescue operation was the result of meticulous planning, intelligence gathering, and collaboration with community leaders and members of Bomadi.
“This synergy enabled the troops to track down the abductors and rescue the senior officer at Tuomor Waterside in Bomadi Local Government Area, Delta State, on September 9, 2025.
“Although Major Josiah sustained gunshot wounds during the rescue operation, he has been evacuated to a medical facility for treatment and is receiving adequate care.
“The Commander, 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army/Sector 1, Joint Task Force, South South, Operation Delta Safe, Brigadier General M.A. Shonibare, 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.”
Recall that tension gripped the Bomadi community last week, following the abduction, which reportedly occurred at a military base in the locality. Witnesses said the officer was seized by armed men who stormed his lodge, firing sporadically to scare residents around 2 a.m.
The incident sparked panic across the local government area and led to the deployment of combined teams of vigilantes and soldiers from the Bomadi Division of the Joint Task Force (JTF), who immediately launched search operations in nearby bushes and communities.
The abduction of a military officer in Bomadi marks one of the latest security flashpoints in Delta State. While community-military relations have sometimes been strained in the Niger Delta due to past allegations of heavy-handedness by security forces, the Army’s public commendation of Bomadi residents reflects an increasing emphasis on civil-military cooperation in countering insecurity. (Punch)
