Nigerian Army troops, aided by locals, rescued kidnapped senior officer Major M. D. Josiah.
He was found wounded in Delta creeks, highlighting strong military-community cooperation in combating insecurity.
Troops of the Nigerian Army, with the help of local residents, have freed a senior officer, Major M. D. Josiah, after he was kidnapped in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.
Major Josiah was seized on Sunday night when armed men stormed his residence, searched the house, and took him into the creeks of Burutu Local Government Area. He was later found tied up inside a canoe, suffering gunshot wounds to his leg and arm.
Community members said he was discovered by palm-wine tappers and woodcutters near the location where the abductors abandoned their vehicle. Villagers sheltered him briefly before transporting him by canoe to Tuomo community, from where the military Joint Task Force was contacted and moved him to a hospital.
Speaking on the incident, Captain Iliyasu Rijau, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 63 Brigade, explained that the operation succeeded because of the strong cooperation between the military and community members.
According to him, the officer was rescued at Tuomo Waterside on September 9, 2025, following intelligence shared by locals, and was immediately taken for treatment.
Brigadier General M. A. Shonibare, Commander of 63 Brigade and Sector 1 of Operation Delta Safe, praised the soldiers for their bravery. He assured residents that the Army remains fully committed to safeguarding lives and maintaining peace across Delta State.
