Four Years After, Troops Recover Remains Of Soldier-couple Abducted, Killed In Imo State

By Suleiman Anyalewechi 

It goes down as one of the most chilling killings in the history of Imo State.

A couple of the Nigerian Army  was abducted by blood thirsty  hoodlums in Imo State, and murdered in a most gruesome manner.

Both of them, Master Warrant Officer Linus Musa Audu and Private Gloria Mathew, were in Imo State to celebrate. Audu was coming to perform the traditional wedding of his betrothed, Gloria.

But as they approached Orsu, they were abducted. The abduction took a turn for the worse when their abductors identified them as  personnel of the Nigerian Army.

They tortured and killed them. In doing that, whichever group killed a daughter of Imo State, and a son-in-law, has committed an abomination. In Igbo land, one never kills one’s in-law.

Since then, their bodies had been missing. No trace. No arrests. No group claimed responsibility. But the horrible incident happened at a time Orsu area was a no-no because of the alleged activities of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network, ESN. It was, also, the period when they said they did not want to see anybody in uniform – military, paramilitary and Police in the South-east. That explains why Security Agencies put the blame on IPOB/ESN. But it is an allegation IPOP and ESN have strongly, and consistently denied.

However, on Saturday April 25,2026 the Nigerian Army announced a startling discovery – the recovery of the  remains of the soldier-couple. It was a sad, but heart-warming discovery.

The Military authorities said the recovery was part of the fall- out of coordinated operations  by troops of the 82 Division that dismantled a camp belonging to the IPOB and its militant wing the Eastern Security Network.

According to the statement, the remains of couple- soldiers – Master Warrant Officer Linus Musa Audu ,and Private Gloria Mathew, were  recovered by troops after dismantling the suspected terrorist hideout on Thursday, April 23.

The Military stated that the remains of the victims were recovered from  shallow graves within the IPOB/ESN camp area along the Ubaha Orsu axis of Orsu Local Council of Imo State.

“Acting on credible intelligence, the operation, conducted on April 24, 2026 along the Ubaha Orsu axis of Orsu Local Government Area was part of a deliberate clearance and search mission aimed at dismantling IPOB/ESN hideout within the region and locating the remains of two personnel of the Nigerian Army, Master Warrant Officer Linus Musa Audu and Private Gloria Mathew who were brutally abducted and murdered by IPOB/ESN terrorists in May 2022 while en route for their traditional wedding.

“Troops, while advancing towards a suspected IPOB/ESN hideout, came under heavy attack by armed criminals.

“Demonstrating resilience, the troops decisively engaged the terrorists, successfully repelling multiple ambushes and forcing the criminals to flee in disarray.

“The encounter further exposed the desperation

and criminal nature of the hoodlums which continue to target innocent citizens ,and security personnel alike”, the Army stated.

According to the statement, following a search conducted after the successful clearance of the terrorists camp, several shallow graves were discovered and subsequently excavated. Several human remains recovered.

The statement noted that part of the human remains were those of the late solder-couple Audu and Mathew.

According to the Army authorities, the couple’s remains have been secured for detailed forensic analysis, including DNA testing.

“Following the successful clearance of the camp, troops conducted a thorough search of the area and made a grim, but important discovery of shallow graves suspected to  contain the remains of slain personnel. The graves were carefully excavated and the suspected remains were recovered.

“The recovered remains have since been secured for detailed forensic analysis, including DNA testing to conclusively establish their identities.

‘Efforts are also ongoing to liaisie with the families of the fallen personnel to ensure proper identification and facilitate burial arrangements in honour of their sacrifices”, the Army added.