A group of armed men has kidnapped a Nigerian Army officer, Master Warrant Officer Abdulfatai Odutola, along the Abuja-Jos highway. Chronicles Reporters has learned that the senior non-commissioned officer (SNCO) was abducted last Saturday while traveling to Yola, the capital of Adamawa State.
A military source confirmed that the kidnappers are demanding a ransom of N20 million for his release. The source also revealed that Odutola had left Ilorin on Friday, February 14, 2025, and spent the night in Abuja before continuing his journey the next day when the incident occurred.
An internal military memo obtained by Chronicles Reporters further confirmed the abduction. It stated:
“Information reaching me now from this soldier Whiskey is that MWO Abdulfatai Odutola (CC 23 BDE Yola) was kidnapped yesterday along Abuja-Jos Road while returning to Yola. He left Ilorin on Friday, February 14, 2025, and slept in Abuja. He continued his journey from Abuja yesterday before the incident happened. Currently, the kidnappers are demanding N20,000,000 for his release. The appropriate authority should assist the soldier.”
Meanwhile, reports have emerged that Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants recently attacked a military base in Borno State, killing three army personnel.
According to sources, the terrorists launched a prolonged attack last Sunday on a military facility in Isige town, located in the Gwoza Local Government Area. During the assault, they destroyed several buildings and seized two gun trucks belonging to the Nigerian Army.
The identities of the slain soldiers have been withheld as their families have yet to be officially informed.
âThere was an attack recently in Borno. One Staff Sergeant and two private soldiers were killed. However, military authorities have remained silent about the incident, which took place at a base in Isige town, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State,” a source disclosed.
The source added that the militants set fire to a military vehicle before fleeing with two others. Although reinforcements were later sent from a nearby unit, the terrorists had already escaped.
This attack comes just weeks after insurgents carried out a deadly assault on the Forward Operating Base in Damboa Local Government Area, also in Borno State. The attack resulted in numerous casualties, with several soldiers still missing.
“25 Taskforce Brigade was attacked over the weekend, and there were many casualties. So far, we have recovered over seven bodies,” a military insider revealed.
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