Troops rescue 3 victims of kidnapping, raid on suspected terror den

Troops have raided and destroyed a terrorist hideout in Abator, Ogbaru LGA of Anambra state, and recovered arms and ammunition.

The army, in a statement on Friday, said the operation was carried out jointly with the Anambra vigilance group, following the rescue of three kidnap victims and the arrest of a suspected kidnapper who led troops to the camp.

“Following the abduction of three persons around Osakwa General Area in Ihiala Local Government Area, troops of Operation UDO KA in collaboration with the Anambra Vigilante Group carried out rescue operations and succeeded in rescuing the victims,” the statement read.

“On October 1, 2026, troops then conducted a lightning operation and arrested one of the suspected kidnappers, identified as Mr Sunday Obi. On interrogation, the suspect provided information that led troops to the location of the syndicate camp at Abator in Ogbaru Local Government Area, across the Isieke waterway.

“Acting on intelligence, the joint forces launched an operation to the identified location, using canoes to cross the waterway and access the terrorist hideout.

“On reaching the area, the troops engaged the terrorists with heavy firepower, forcing them to flee with gunshot wounds.”

The army said troops found two AK-47 rifles and their magazines, three pump-action guns, three Danish-made guns, 62 rounds of 7.62 mm NATO ammunition and 149 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition.

Two bullet casings and materials suspected to be used to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were also found.

The statement said troops found items used for the group’s operational and logistical activities, including a solar generator, a power bank, a car battery, two motorbike batteries, two solar panels and two mobile phones.

The army said the recovery exposed the logistics infrastructure supporting terrorist and kidnapping activities in the region and provided additional intelligence for ongoing efforts to dismantle the broader network.

“The Nigerian Army, through Operation UDO KA, will maintain coordinated kinetic and intelligence-based operations to dismantle terrorist enclaves, disrupt their logistics and supply chains, and prevent criminal elements from becoming safe havens in the Southeast,” the statement read.

“Further operations are underway to apprehend the fleeing terrorists, their collaborators, logistics suppliers and other facilitators, while forces continue to work with relevant security agencies and local stakeholders to strengthen security and protect the community.”