By Miriam Humbe
Troops of the Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, have intensified offensive operations against terrorist and criminal networks in the South East, dismantling a hideout and rescuing three kidnapped victims in Anambra State.
The operation was conducted by troops of 185 Battalion in conjunction with the Anambra Vigilante Group. It underscores the Nigerian Army’s sustained efforts to disrupt terrorist networks, deny them freedom of action and protect communities across the region.
Following the abduction of three persons around Osakwa General Area in Ihiala Local Government Area, troops of Operation UDO KA, working with the Anambra Vigilante Group, conducted a rescue operation and recovered the victims.
On 1 October 2026, troops conducted a snap operation and arrested a suspected kidnapper, identified as Mr Sunday Obi. During interrogation, the suspect provided information that led troops to the syndicate’s camp at Abator in Ogbaru Local Government Area, across the Isieke waterside.
Acting on the intelligence, combined troops launched an operation to the location, employing canoes to cross the waterways and access the hideout. On reaching the area, troops engaged the terrorists with overwhelming firepower, forcing them to flee with gunshot wounds.
The operation led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles with magazines, three pump-action guns, three locally fabricated Dane guns, 62 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and 149 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, alongside two cartridges and materials suspected to be for fabricating Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
Troops also recovered items supporting the terrorists’ operational and logistical activities, including a solar generator, power bank, car battery, two motorcycle batteries, two solar panels and two mobile phones.
The recovery further exposes the logistical infrastructure sustaining terrorist and kidnapping activities in the area and provides additional intelligence for ongoing efforts to dismantle the wider network.
The Nigerian Army, through Operation UDO KA, said it will 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.
Follow-up operations are underway to apprehend fleeing terrorists, their collaborators, logistics suppliers and other facilitators, while troops continue to work with relevant security agencies and local stakeholders to strengthen security and safeguard communities.
