By Nkechi Eze
Troops of the Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, have dismantled a terrorist hideout and rescued three kidnapped victims during intensified operations in Anambra State.
The operation, conducted by troops of 185 Battalion in collaboration with the Anambra Vigilante Group, also led to the arrest of a suspected kidnapper and recovery of weapons, ammunition and other logistical items.
Following the abduction of three persons around Osakwa General Area in Ihiala Local Government Area, troops and the vigilantes launched a rescue operation and successfully recovered the victims.
On October 1, 2026, troops subsequently arrested one of the suspected kidnappers, identified as Sunday Obi, during a snap operation. Information obtained from the suspect led troops to the location of the syndicate’s camp at Abator in Ogbaru Local Government Area, across the Isieke waterside.
Acting on the intelligence, the troops crossed the waterways in canoes and stormed the identified hideout, engaging the terrorists with superior firepower.
The terrorists reportedly fled the area with gunshot wounds, while troops recovered two AK-47 rifles with magazines, three pump-action guns and three locally fabricated Dane guns.
Also recovered were 62 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 149 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, two cartridges and materials suspected to be intended for the fabrication of improvised explosive devices.
Other items recovered from the camp included a solar generator, power bank, car battery, two motorcycle batteries, two solar panels and two mobile phones.
The Nigerian Army said the recovery had provided further intelligence on the logistical network supporting terrorist and kidnapping activities in the area.
It added that follow-up operations were ongoing to apprehend fleeing terrorists, their collaborators, logistics suppliers and other facilitators.
The Army said Operation UDO KA would sustain coordinated kinetic and intelligence-driven operations to dismantle terrorist enclaves, disrupt their logistics and supply chains and deny criminal elements safe havens across the South East.
