The Nigerian Army troops of Joint Task Force Sector One, Operation Udo Ka (OPUK), in collaboration with Neighbourhood Watch, executed a coordinated operation to rescue 14 kidnapped victims from Orokam Forest, situated at the border between Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State and Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to information provided to Zagazola Makama, the operation took place on Friday at approximately 1:30 p.m., following reliable intelligence from local sources about a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in the forest.
The source reported that troops stationed in Udenu LGA promptly mobilized to the location alongside vigilante personnel from the Neighbourhood Watch.
“As the joint team approached the hideout, the criminals opened fire on the troops. The joint team responded with substantial firepower, causing the kidnappers to flee in disarray, abandoning the kidnapped victims,” the source stated.
It was revealed that 14 abducted individuals, who had been returning from a burial ceremony over the weekend when they were kidnapped, were rescued unharmed.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the victims were abducted from two separate communities: Ezimo Agu in Udenu LGA, Enugu State, and Orokam in Ogbadigbo LGA, Benue State.
The source further mentioned that the victims were subsequently handed over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Udenu Division for reunification with their families.
Additionally, the source noted that the troops expended 70 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition during the engagement and returned to base at approximately 7:21 p.m. without any incidents.
The sources emphasized that troops have intensified monitoring of the general area to prevent criminal elements from engaging in further activities.
