Troops of the Nigerian Army’s Joint Task Force Sector One, Operation Udo Ka (OPUK), have successfully rescued 14 kidnapped victims in a joint operation with the Neighbourhood Watch at Orokam Forest, a border zone between Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State and Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The rescue mission, carried out around 1:30 p.m. on Friday, followed credible intelligence from residents who alerted security forces to a suspected kidnappers’ camp deep within the forest.
Responding swiftly, troops deployed to Udenu LGA teamed up with vigilante operatives and moved toward the location. As they closed in, the kidnappers opened fire, prompting the soldiers and vigilantes to return heavy fire. The armed criminals eventually fled, abandoning their captives.
All 14 victims, who were kidnapped while returning from a burial ceremony, were rescued unharmed. Initial investigations revealed they were abducted from two different communities — Ezimo Agu in Udenu LGA, Enugu State, and Orokam in Ogbadigbo LGA, Benue State.
The rescued individuals were handed over to the Divisional Police Officer of Udenu Division for processing and reunification with their families.
Troops reportedly expended 70 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition during the encounter and returned to base safely at about 7:21 p.m., with no casualties recorded.
The victims were subsequently handed over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Udenu Division, for onward reunification with their families.
Troops had intensified monitoring of the general area to deny criminal elements freedom of action.
