Kidnapped General’s Wife Rescued, Two Suspects Arrested as Army Recovers AK-47 in Abuja

The Nigerian Army has rescued Mrs Adonkie, wife of retired Brigadier General Basil Adonkie, from kidnappers and arrested two suspected members of the kidnap syndicate operating around the Federal Capital Territory.

Mrs Adonkie was abducted from her residence at about 10:30 p.m. on September 1, 2026, prompting a joint operation involving troops of the Guards Brigade and Army Headquarters Garrison.

According to a special situation report from Headquarters Guards Brigade, troops were deployed on three fronts in pursuit of the kidnappers shortly after the abduction.

The report said troops from Army Headquarters Garrison advanced through the ACO Estate–Goza Community axis and made contact with the kidnappers.

The operation resulted in the successful rescue of Mrs Adonkie around Angwan-Sabo village, while another group of troops continued the pursuit of the fleeing kidnappers along the ACO Estate–Angwan Sayawa axis.

In a follow-up operation at about 11:09 a.m. on September 2, troops comprising personnel from 176 Guards Battalion and 197 Special Forces Battalion were deployed to block and intercept the fleeing suspects around Gaube village in Kuje Area Council.

The troops subsequently made contact with the suspects and arrested two of them.

The operation also led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, an AK-47 magazine and 19 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

The rescued victim has since been reunited with her family, while the two arrested suspects remain in Army custody for profiling and further interrogation.

The Army said the ongoing investigation is expected to provide leads that could facilitate the arrest of other members of the kidnap syndicate still at large.

It added that operations had been intensified in the area to apprehend other fleeing suspects.

The report, signed by Brigadier General AO Onasanya, Commander, Guards Brigade, said the morale and fighting efficiency of troops remained satisfactory.