Onyema Nwachukwu, director of army public relations, said in a statement on Wednesday that the soldier was abducted on November 2.
He did, however, add that the army has been conducting search-and-rescue operations for the missing soldier, which have resulted in clashes between troops and gunmen.
Nwachukwu also stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) weapons and materials had been recovered from hideouts in Abia.
"On 5 November 2022, troops raided another enclave of the groups around Amangu Village in Abia State in a follow-up operation." "Troops neutralized two of the criminals during the operation, while others fled with gunshot wounds," he said.
"Troops recovered two locally manufactured AK 47 rifles, four Pump Action guns, one locally manufactured Pistol, one Sniper rifle, six magazines, 13 NATO 7.62mm rounds, and one motorcycle."
"Other items recovered from the dissidents include two CCTV cameras, a solar panel, flags, a walkie-talkie, two mobile phones, two pamphlets of the Biafran anthem, one INEC box, 12 face caps, machetes, combat boots, rain boots, camouflage uniforms, one transistor radio, two jungle hats, two knee guards, one power bank, and one INEC image capturing machine."
"Unfortunately, one soldier paid the ultimate sacrifice during these engagements."
"In its search for the abducted soldier, the NA will leave no stone unturned." The NA assures the public that all operations will be carried out within the confines of the law and in accordance with global best practices, Rules of Engagement, and Codes of Conduct that govern NA operations.
"It should be clear to all that criminal attacks on and abductions of service personnel are acts against the state that will not go unpunished."
