Terror in Nigeria: Israeli Citizen Kidnapped and Released by Local Military

A dramatic and unusual event occurred last weekend in Africa, when an Israeli citizen working in Nigeria was kidnapped for ransom, and later rescued by the local military with the involvement of the Foreign Ministry. The Israeli Embassy and Foreign Ministry worked with local authorities, and the Nigerian army managed to rescue him healthy and unharmed without gunfire and without paying ransom.

According to a report tonight (Sunday) on Ynet, the kidnapping occurred last Thursday, in the early morning hours in Taraba State in northeastern Nigeria.

Most kidnapping cases in the country involve ransom, and in this case, there was concern for his life given the significant personal security problems in the country. The Department for Israelis Abroad, together with the Embassy in Nigeria, was in contact with the relevant authorities in the country and in Israel. It took about 24 hours to safely release the Israeli, and the operation was conducted around the clock.

According to Nigerian media reports cited in the coverage, the kidnapped Israeli's name is Itamar, and he works for SCC company. The army claimed that "the victim was traveling alone in his vehicle, without military escort or driver when he was kidnapped."

The army emphasized that the rescue operation was led by the commander of Battalion 93. According to the army, the intelligence operation included close coordination with local community leaders in Kopai Ahmadu, Afko, and Chanchangi. The army reported that no shots were fired during the rescue operation.

According to the army's statement, "strategic pressure" was applied to village chiefs and local youth leaders, which yielded critical intelligence information and ultimately led to the Israeli's release.