By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Nigerian Army has recovered the suspected remains of a soldier couple who were abducted and killed while travelling for their traditional wedding in Imo State.
In a statement on Saturday, the army said the remains were discovered during a clearance operation targeting a hideout linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in the Ubaha-Orsu axis of Orsu Local Government Area.
The victims, identified as Master Warrant Officer Linus Musa Audu and Private Gloria Mathew, were reportedly kidnapped and murdered in May 2022 while en route to formalise their marriage.
According to the military, troops of the 82 Division launched the operation on April 24, 2026, acting on intelligence to dismantle the camp and locate the missing personnel.
The soldiers came under heavy attack during the mission but successfully repelled multiple ambushes and forced the assailants to retreat.
Following the clearance of the camp, troops conducted a search of the area and uncovered shallow graves suspected to contain the remains of the slain couple. The graves were excavated and the remains recovered.
The army said the recovered remains have been secured for forensic examination, including DNA testing, to confirm their identities. It added that efforts are ongoing to liaise with the families of the deceased to ensure proper identification and facilitate burial arrangements.
The military described the discovery as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks in the South-East and ensure justice for fallen personnel, while urging residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies.
