Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued an abducted senior military officer, Lt.-Col. Ofor Amobi, and a civilian, Mr. Ikechukwu Onwuanra, after a 10-day joint search-and-rescue operation in Enugu State.

A military operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday said the victims regained their freedom in the early hours of Friday after sustained pressure mounted on their abductors.

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According to the report, the operation was carried out by troops of Sector 1 of Operation UDO KA, comprising personnel of the 82 Division Garrison, 103 Battalion (Reinforced), the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service, and the 197 Special Forces Battalion.

The report stated that the troops, led by the Commander of the 82 Division Garrison, conducted intensive search operations across the forests and communities of Inyi, Awlaw, and Akpugo-Eze in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The military said the breakthrough came at about 2:00 a.m. on Friday, when troops received intelligence from the Divisional Police Officer of the Inyi Division on the whereabouts of the victims.

Acting on the intelligence, the troops immediately launched a fighting patrol to the location, where the abducted officer and the civilian were found abandoned at the edge of a forest in Inyi.

According to the military, both victims had sustained gunshot wounds and were promptly evacuated to the 82 Division Medical Hospital for treatment and medical evaluation.

Preliminary interrogation revealed that the victims had been blindfolded, transported to an unknown location and later abandoned in a forest along the Enugu-Anambra border.

The report quoted the military as saying, “The victims attributed their rescue to the sustained pressure mounted by the joint troops, which denied the kidnappers freedom of movement and compelled them to abandon their captives.”

The military added that further details of the operation would be made available later.

Following a successful one-year internship, intensive training and evaluation programme, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has deployed over 1,000 young professionals into its workforce.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bayo Ojulari, disclosed this in a post on its social media handles, describing the exercise as a major milestone for the national oil company.

According to Ojulari, the newly deployed employees emerged from a rigorous process that included internships, training and performance assessment.

“Today marked a huge milestone for us as we officially deployed over 1,000 young professionals into NNPC Ltd after one year of internship, intensive training, and evaluation,” he said.

Ojulari noted that the recruitment exercise reflected the company’s commitment to merit-based employment rather than personal connections or background.

“Different paths, but the same door. And we opened it. That’s what NNPC Limited stands for today: not who you know or where you’re from, but what you can do,” he stated.

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According to Ojulari, while offer letters secured entry into the organisation, the employees’ performance during the internship year earned them permanent deployment.

“Their offer letters got them in, but their work this past year kept them here. They proved themselves day after day, under real pressure, and that’s the standard we’re building. Talent. Hard work. Fairness,” he stated.

Ojulari encouraged the new employees to contribute ideas, speak up, and take responsibility for their professional growth within the company.

He also urged them to remember the process that led to their deployment and to create opportunities for others in the future.

Charging the news employees to strive to make their marks, he stated, “To the over 1,000 newly deployed: you are not just our future. You are our present. Our energy. Our proof. So don’t hesitate to lend your voice, share your opinions, and challenge the status quo. Own your development.

“But don’t forget the wait. Don’t forget the process. Because one day, when you’re sitting where I am, you’ll remember this moment, and you’ll open that same door for someone else.”

The deployment comes as the state oil major continues efforts to strengthen its workforce and build capacity across its operations following its transition into a commercially oriented national energy company under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The NNPC Ltd announced its decision to employ new workers in July 2024 under the immediate past GCEO, Mele Kyari.

At least 18 migrants have died while attempting to enter Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco, following a large-scale rush by thousands of people trying to cross the border.

Ceuta, an autonomous Spanish city located on the northern coast of Africa, witnessed a surge in arrivals after migrants began making attempts to reach the territory, mainly by swimming from Morocco.

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A police source told AFP on Friday that authorities were unable to determine the exact number of people who successfully crossed into Ceuta after thousands gathered during the overnight attempt.

“There was a steady stream of people all night long,” the source said, adding that although the number of arrivals reduced compared with daytime movements, migrants “continued to arrive overnight and are still arriving” on Friday morning.

Reports of migrants heading towards Ceuta began emerging on Wednesday, with most of the attempts involving crossings by sea.

Footage from Thursday showed large crowds, mostly Moroccans, moving along the breakwaters at Tarajal Beach and into nearby roads. Among those attempting the crossing were young men, as well as families with women and children.

Rachid Sbihi, head of the local workers’ association representing Civil Guard officers, said most of the 18 fatalities were caused by drowning, while others died during a stampede as migrants attempted to force their way through the breakwater fence at Tarajal Beach.

The reason behind the sudden surge in attempted crossings remains unclear.

However, Spain’s Interior Ministry estimated that about 49,000 migrants entered Ceuta within a 24-hour period as they moved by both sea and land routes from Morocco.

In response to the situation, the Spanish government announced plans to deploy the military to support the Civil Guard in maintaining security in Ceuta.

Images released after the announcement showed Spanish soldiers patrolling areas around the Spanish-Moroccan border in the enclave alongside armoured vehicles.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is also expected to visit Ceuta alongside Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska to assess the situation.

Ceuta and another Spanish enclave, Melilla, have long been key entry points for migrants seeking access to Europe from Africa.