Troops of 82 Division/Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA (OPUK), have received eight rescued kidnap victims from the Cameroonian Armed Forces and arrested a suspected gunrunner in Cross River State, the Nigerian Army has said.
The development is contained in a security update on activities in the Area of Responsibility (AOR) of the formation as at January 20, 2026.
Troops of 13 Brigade, deployed on patrol along the Ikang waterways, received the eight victims at about 6:16 p.m. on January 18 at the Pastors Fishing Port general area.
The victims, who were travelling from Nigeria to Cameroon, were kidnapped by suspected sea pirates along the Cameroon waterways but were later rescued by the Cameroonian Armed Forces after a gun battle with the criminals.
The rescued victims were conveyed to the troops’ Forward Operating Base (FOB), where they were debriefed and subsequently released.
In a related development, troops of 13 Brigade, based on credible intelligence, arrested a suspected gunrunner at Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State at about 8:00 a.m. on January 20.
The suspect, identified as Mr Ojo Friday, was apprehended with a total of 245 ammunition cartridges.
The army said the suspect is from Ochon in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State but resides at Abomege in Ebonyi State.
The suspect and recovered items are currently in custody for preliminary investigation.
The military high command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations to curb criminal activities and ensure the safety of lives and property across the region.
