Troops rescue abducted NDDC MD’s aide

Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army have today, 9 March 2025, successfully rescued Mr Akari Eloghonan Loveday, the Special Adviser (SA), Domestic Affairs to the Managing Director (MD), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku.

The SA was kidnapped on 7 March 2025, along Ayakoro Community waterways in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

A press statement by Lt. Col Danjuma Jonah, Acting Lieutenant Colonel Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, said troops swiftly moved into the creeks, waterways and rivulets in a comprehensive search and rescue operations, “which led to the release of. Mr Akari Loved.””.

He said the operational feat was achieved through painstaking operations conducted by the troops of the 16 Brigade, Nigerian Army, in close synergy with Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH, the Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Police Force.

“The operations were largely successful due to the community support provided to the troops by members of the local community, who came out in their numbers to block possible exits of the criminals, a classical demonstration of community support to military operations. This forced the kidnappers to abandon their victims and flee into the creeks.

Lt. Col. Jonah said that Mr Akari Loveday has since been reunited with the Managing Director NDDC and the leaders of the Ayakoro community in Ogbia LGA, while troops are currently combing the general area to apprehend the kidnappers.

According to the statement, the General Officer Commanding the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, while commending troops for the successful rescue operations, charged them to hunt down the kidnappers and free the waterways of criminal elements.

“Troops are currently combing the general area for possible apprehension of the criminal,” the statement added.