Kidnapped Cross River State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Gertrude Njar has returned after troops of the 13 Brigade deployed for Operation Akpakwu in Calabar, rescued her .
Njar who has been in captivity for 35 days, was rescued late Wednesday around Peter Effiong Creek, Messembe, Jebs, Calabar South Local Government Area of the state.
A release made available to newsmen late Wednesday night and signed by Assistant Director, Army Relations, Calabar, Oluwatope Aluko, a Captain, stated that they acted on actionable intelligence, leading up to the rescue at the victim’s location.
“Troops of 13 Brigade Nigerian Army Calabar, deployed for Operation Akpakwu, have successfully rescued the Commissioner for Women Affairs in Cross Rivers State, Associate Prof Gertrude Nnanjar Njar on the 8 March 2023, who had hitherto been kidnapped while driving back home on the 1 February 2023 at Main Avenue Calabar South”, the release stated.
“Acting on actionable intelligence on victim’s whereabout, troops laid a tacit ambush for the kidnappers around Peter Effiong Creek, Messembe, Jebs. The gallant troops tactically sprung an ambush to take the kidnappers by surprise while on search of the victim. In the ensuing melee, the criminals abandoned the victim and fled into the creeks. Troops are, however, on the trail of the fleeing criminals. Meanwhile, the victim is currently receiving medical treatment, after which she will be discharged.”
“The Commander 13 Brigade Nigerian Army commends troops for their gallantry and urges them to sustain the tempo against all criminal elements in the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility.”
“Members of the general public are also encouraged to continue providing timely and accurate information on criminal activities within their vicinities,” she stated.
It was not immediately known if any ransom was paid before Njar was rescued.
