Troops of Operation Udo Ka, working under Sector One of the Nigerian Army’s Joint Task Force, on Friday rescued 14 kidnapped persons during a coordinated operation inside Orokam Forest, a notorious hideout bordering Udenu LGA in Enugu State and Ogbadigbo LGA in Benue State.

Security sources told Daily Post that the operation began at about 1:30 p.m. after residents supplied intelligence identifying the exact location of a suspected kidnappers’ camp concealed deep within the forest.

A security source said troops stationed in Udenu quickly mobilised and advanced on the hideout alongside the Neighbourhood Watch.

“As the team approached, the criminals opened fire. Our troops responded with overwhelming firepower, causing the kidnappers to flee and abandon the victims,” the source said.

All 14 abductees—seized on their way back from a burial ceremony days earlier—were rescued unharmed. Investigations showed that the victims were taken from two communities: Ezimo Agu in Udenu LGA of Enugu State and Orokam in Ogbadigbo LGA of Benue State.

The rescued persons were handed over to the Divisional Police Officer of Udenu Division for immediate reunification with their families.

Security sources added that soldiers expended 70 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition during the exchange before returning to base at about 7:21 p.m. without casualties.

Authorities have since intensified surveillance in the forest corridor to prevent armed groups from regrouping or re-establishing camps in the area.

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