Reported by: Ime Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Nigerian Army troops attached to Joint Task Force Sector One, under Operation Udo Ka (OPUK), in collaboration with local Neighbourhood Watch personnel, successfully rescued 14 kidnapped individuals from a forest hideout straddling Udenu Local Government Area in Enugu State and Ogbadigbo Local Government Area in Benue State.
According to sources familiar with the operation, actionable intelligence from community members alerted security forces to the presence of a suspected kidnappers’ camp within Orokam Forest. Troops deployed from Udenu swiftly mobilized alongside vigilante operatives, moving to the location around 1:30 p.m. on Friday.
The joint security team encountered armed resistance upon approach. “The criminals opened fire on the troops, who responded with a high volume of fire, forcing the kidnappers to flee and abandon the abducted victims,” the source explained. The engagement reportedly involved the discharge of 70 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, with no casualties reported among the rescuers or victims. Troops returned to base by 7:21 p.m. following the successful operation.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the 14 individuals had been abducted from two separate communities: Ezimo Agu in Udenu LGA, Enugu State, and Orokam in Ogbadigbo LGA, Benue State. The victims were reportedly returning from a burial ceremony over the weekend before being seized by the criminal gang.
The rescued victims were promptly handed over to the Divisional Police Officer of Udenu Division for processing and reunification with their families. Security sources emphasized that monitoring and patrols in the general area have since been intensified to prevent any resurgence of criminal activity and deny bandits freedom of movement.
Stone Reporters’ Observation: This operation demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated action between military forces and community-based vigilante groups in curbing kidnapping incidents, a persistent security challenge in southeastern and north-central Nigeria. Such collaborations not only enhance rapid response capabilities but also strengthen trust between security agencies and local populations, which is critical in intelligence-driven operations.
Kidnapping remains one of Nigeria’s most lucrative criminal enterprises, with networks exploiting porous borders, dense forests, and rural isolation. Operations like this highlight the importance of intelligence-led interventions and community cooperation, which are essential to dismantling these syndicates. The rescue also underscores the need for sustained engagement and capacity building among local security actors to prevent repeat offenses.
The successful liberation of the 14 victims marks a notable victory in ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping along the Enugu-Benue border. While the operation dealt a significant blow to the criminal gang, authorities have warned that continuous vigilance, public cooperation, and proactive intelligence gathering remain essential to permanently securing the region and safeguarding citizens’ lives.
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