by George Ozalla
Nigerian Army troops of Joint Task Force Sector One, Operation Udo Ka, in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Watch, have rescued 14 kidnapped individuals during an operation at Orokam Forest, a border area linking Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State and Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State. The operation on Friday afternoon brought relief to families and communities shaken by a growing wave of kidnappings in the region.
Military sources said the operation began around 1:30 p.m. after locals provided credible intelligence about a suspected kidnappers’ hideout deep inside the forest. Troops from Udenu LGA moved quickly, joined by vigilante personnel from the Neighbourhood Watch, determined to prevent further harm to the abducted victims.
As the team approached the hideout, the kidnappers opened fire. The troops returned fire, forcing the criminals to flee in disarray and leave the victims behind. The 14 individuals, who had been returning from a burial ceremony over the weekend, were rescued unharmed. Preliminary investigation showed they were abducted from two separate communities: Ezimo Agu in Udenu LGA, Enugu State, and Orokam in Ogbadigbo LGA, Benue State.
The rescued victims were handed over to the Divisional Police Officer, Udenu Division, and reunited with their families. Military sources said troops used 70 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition during the engagement and returned to base safely at about 7:21 p.m.
The operation highlights the psychological stress and danger that criminal gangs continue to impose on communities. Troops have stepped up surveillance in the area to ensure kidnappers and other criminals do not return.
The rescue brought a sense of relief to local residents and showed the determination of security forces to protect vulnerable border communities while preventing future attacks.
