Crossword Genius

Enemy, O my, has kidnapped crack recruit (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

engage

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'recruit' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'enemy o my has kidnapped crack' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'crack' could be 'gag' (both can mean a joke) and 'gag' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ene' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for engage that I've seen before include "Take on, hire" , "Mesh" , "Take on (eg for work, in battle)" , "Take someone on as a worker" , "Employ or take on" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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