Operatives of the 82 Division Nigerian Army and the Joint Task Force South-East, code-named ‘Operation UDO KA’, have smashed camps of alleged Indigenous People of Biafra and its Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) armed wing within South-East.
The troops neutralised four IPOB/ESN armed men, rescued 14 people and checked crude oil bunkering within the South-East.
This is contained in a statement issued by Lt. Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, Acting Deputy Director
82 Division Army Public Relations, on Wednesday in Enugu.
Unuakhalu said that troops of 82 Division Nigerian Army and Operation UDO KA had continued to sustain its offensive against the IPOB/ESN criminals across the South-East.
He noted that in a series of well-executed operations, troops had successfully repelled and raided the irredentist hideouts as well as clamped down on the activities of illegal oil bunkers within its joint Operation Area.
He stated that early hours of Tuesday, Oct. 22, troops of Sector 5 of Operation UDO KA deployed at Forward Operational Base (FOB) Aguata with other security agencies while on routine patrol within Igbo Ukwu and Uga axis of Aguata council area of Anambra came in contact with members of IPOB/ESN.
Quoting him, “During the fire fight, troops’ superior firepower forced the criminals to flee in disarray. During the encounter, one IPOB/ESN member was neutralised, two black coloured Lexus Jeeps with no registration number and one pump action gun with three cartridges were recovered.
“On Monday, Oct. 21, troops deployed at FOB Lilu also came in contact with the terrorist group after detonating the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted along the supply route.
“The troops successfully neutralised two of the terrorists, recovered one pump action shotgun, one solar CCTV camera, three large pipe-Borne IED, seven IEDs and eight batteries,” he said.
Unuakhalu added that the troops of the Joint Task Force on Wednesday, Oct. 9, stormed an IPOB/ESN hideout in the Enugwu Umuonyia community in Aguata council area of Anambra.
He said that overwhelmed in the ensuing firefight, the terrorists fled, leaving behind a cache of arms and logistics.
The statement read, “The troops swiftly searched and destroyed the hideouts, recovering 78 rounds of 7.62mm and 39mm ammunition, 13 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 20 live cartridges, a pump-action gun, a locally fabricated pistol, an AK-56 magazine and six vehicles found within the camp.
“The stolen vehicles were those stolen from well-meaning Igbos of the region by the criminal elements.”
He said that in the same vein, on Oct. 10; troops of 82 Division carried out an ambush operation in Lilu community in Anambra to deter the irredentist freedom of action.
During the ambush, troops neutralised one IPOB/ESN member and recovered one handheld radio, four improvised grenades, one encased IED and one solar powered CCTV.
“Also, troops deployed at FOB Aguata on Oct. 11 repelled IPOB/ESN attack neutralising one IPOB/ESN member and recovered the following items; two AK 47 rifles, one Pump action gun, quantity 60 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 15 Cartridges and one Prado Jeep.
“In another encounter with IPOB/ESN in Ohafia LGA of Abia State and Umu-Abor Lilu in Anambra State respectively, the troops recovered one CCTV Camera with Solar panel, one water gel IED, six empty cartridges, six live cartridges, 13 empty cases of 7.62mm ammunition, two batteries, four IED pipes and one radio set.
“Despite the deceit of liberation of the people, the IPOB/ESN criminals have continued to kidnap innocent South Easterners for ransom, disposition of their valuables especially SUVs and exploitation,” he said.
According to him, the JTF Operation UDO KA had also conducted many rescue operations, adding that on Sunday, Oct. 6, troops of Operation UDO KA successfully rescued an expatriate and three staff of DATUM Construction Company.
He said, “Also on Thursday, Oct. 10, 10 sports journalists who were earlier kidnapped on their way to Uyo were rescued.
“During the rescue operation, troops arrested one suspected kidnapper and recovered three SUV jeeps.
“The rescue operations were conducted in Ajalli-Ugbuntra, Orumba South LGA, Ebonyi State , Aguleri/Amarulu village, Ihiala in Anambra State and Orlu LGA Imo State as well as Umuahia North LGA in Abia State respectively.”