Troops of the Nigerian Army’s Joint Task Force Sector One, Operation Udo Ka (OPUK), in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Watch, have rescued 14 kidnapped victims during a coordinated operation at Orokam Forest, a border area between Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State and Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Sources told Akelicious that the rescue operation was carried out on Friday at about 1:30 p.m., following credible intelligence from locals about the suspected presence of kidnappers in the forest.
Troops deployed in Udenu LGA reportedly mobilised swiftly to the location with support from Neighbourhood Watch vigilante personnel.
“While approaching the hideout, the criminals opened fire on the troops. The joint team responded with superior firepower, forcing the kidnappers to flee in disarray and abandon the kidnapped victims,” a source said.
Fourteen abducted persons who were said to have been kidnapped while returning from a burial ceremony over the weekend were successfully rescued unhurt.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were taken from two separate communities: Ezimo Agu in Udenu LGA of Enugu State and Orokam in Ogbadigbo LGA of Benue State.
According to the source, the rescued victims were handed over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Udenu Division for onward reunification with their families.
The source also disclosed that troops expended 70 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition during the engagement and returned to base at about 7:21 p.m. without any incident.
