Fourteen kidnapped persons have been rescued by troops of the Nigerian Army during a coordinated operation inside the Orokam Forest, a border area between Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State and Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State. The rescue mission, which took place on Friday afternoon, was carried out by troops of the Joint Task Force, Sector One of Operation Udo Ka (OPUK), working in collaboration with members of the Neighbourhood Watch.
The successful operation comes at a time when the Benue–Enugu border belt has been facing increasing cases of kidnapping, especially along rural roads used by travellers moving between the two states. Orokam Forest, which stretches across thick bushes and difficult terrain, has recently become a hideout for armed criminal groups who target motorists, farmers and villagers.
According to security sources, the rescue mission began after troops received credible intelligence from residents who noticed unusual movement inside the forest. The information pointed to a hidden camp believed to be used by a gang of kidnappers operating around Orokam and neighbouring communities.
One of the security sources said troops stationed in Udenu LGA immediately mobilised and moved toward the forest, accompanied by Neighbourhood Watch operatives familiar with the terrain. The operation began around 1:30 p.m.
“While approaching the hideout, the criminals opened fire on the troops. The joint team responded with a high volume of fire, forcing the kidnappers to flee in disarray and abandon the kidnapped victims,” the source said.
The firefight lasted several minutes, but the criminals were eventually overpowered by the soldiers’ superior firepower and tactical advantage. The troops reportedly fired 70 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition during the confrontation. No soldier or vigilante member was injured.
All 14 kidnapped persons were rescued safely and without injuries. According to security officials, the victims had been abducted while returning from a burial ceremony the previous weekend. They were taken from two different communities — Ezimo Agu in Udenu LGA of Enugu State and Orokam in Ogbadigbo LGA of Benue State.
The victims appeared traumatised but were stable when the troops found them inside the forest. Some of them reportedly said they were forced to march deep into the bush and had spent days without proper food or rest.
After the rescue, the victims were transported out of the forest and handed over to the Divisional Police Officer of Udenu Division. Police authorities have begun arrangements to reunite them with their families.
The operation highlights the growing security challenges in the border areas between Benue and Enugu states. In recent years, several communities in these areas have suffered from kidnapping, armed robbery and attacks by criminal groups who take advantage of the thick forests and weak security presence.
Ogbadigbo LGA, which hosts the busy Orokam–Owukpa route, has recorded multiple abductions targeting both locals and travellers. Similarly, parts of Udenu LGA in Enugu State have seen a rise in rural kidnappings, prompting joint security operations by the military, police and local vigilante groups.
Operation Udo Ka, launched by the Nigerian Army to strengthen security in the South-East and parts of Benue, has been involved in several rescue missions. The operation focuses on dismantling camps used by kidnappers, armed herders, and other criminal elements who move between boundary communities.
Friday’s rescue mission is one of the most successful in recent months, as it led to the release of all abducted victims without any injury or casualty among security forces.
Following the rescue, troops have intensified surveillance and patrols across the forest and surrounding communities. Security sources said this is necessary to prevent the kidnappers from regrouping or launching fresh attacks.
“We are not relaxing after this operation. Patrols have been strengthened in the entire axis to block any escape route or plans by the criminals to return,” one of the sources said.
Security agencies are also working with community leaders to encourage residents to provide timely information. Local residents have played a crucial role in recent operations by alerting security forces to suspicious movements, as many kidnappers rely on local knowledge of the terrain to hide victims.
Residents of Ezimo Agu and Orokam communities expressed relief after hearing about the rescue. Some families had feared the worst, especially as the victims had spent several days in captivity without any communication from the abductors.
A resident of Orokam said the forest has become a major security concern for villagers who travel to farms daily. “Our people are afraid to go far into the bush because the kidnappers use the same forest paths. We need the government to clear these criminal camps permanently,” he said.
Community leaders have also appealed for more permanent military and police presence in the area, noting that security operations often weaken once troops withdraw.
In 2023 and 2024, several states in the North Central and South East regions reported similar patterns: criminals kidnapping travellers returning from ceremonies such as burials, weddings or market trips, often using motorcycles and forest tracks to avoid detection.
For the families of the rescued victims, the news brought a wave of relief after days of uncertainty. Many had been making preparations to raise ransom money before the security forces intervened.
A source at the Udenu Police Division said the families began arriving on Friday evening after receiving calls from authorities. The police are currently conducting medical checks and documentation before handing the victims back to their relatives.
As kidnapping continues to threaten rural communities across Nigeria, the Orokam rescue mission demonstrates the importance of joint operations, timely intelligence and the support of local residents. Security agencies say they will continue to build partnerships with vigilantes and neighbourhood watch groups, especially in border communities where criminals depend on isolation and difficult terrain to operate.
