Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in a daring rescue operation, have freed Mr. Akari Eloghonan Loveday, the Special Adviser (SA) to the Managing Director (MD) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.
Loveday was kidnapped on March 7, 2025, along the Ayakoro Community waterways in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
However, troops swiftly moved into action, conducting a comprehensive search and rescue operation that led to his release.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, who noted that the operation was a collaborative effort between the troops of 16 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH, Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Police Force.
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Danjuma also acknowledged that Community support played a crucial role in the success of the operation, as local residents came out in large numbers to block possible escape routes of the kidnappers.
He added that the kidnappers, forced to abandon their victim, fled into the creeks and Loveday has since been reunited with the MD of NDDC and leaders of the Ayakoro Community in Ogbia LGA.
He said: “Mr Akari Loveday has since been reunited with the MD NDDC and the leaders of Ayakoro Community in Ogbia LGA, while troops are currently combing the general area to apprehend the kidnappers.”
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding, 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 the possible arrest of the criminals.
