In a series of coordinated military operations, troops of the 82 Division Nigerian Army and the Joint Task Force South-East (Operation UDO KA) have neutralized four members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), while rescuing 14 kidnapped individuals across the South-East region.
The army’s efforts, aimed at dismantling criminal strongholds in the region, were confirmed by Lt. Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, Acting Deputy Director of the 82 Division Army Public Relations, in a statement issued on Wednesday, October 24, 2024, in Enugu.
During a series of meticulously planned raids, troops dismantled several IPOB/ESN camps and engaged the separatists in multiple encounters. On October 22, troops from Sector 5 of Operation UDO KA, stationed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Aguata, came under attack from IPOB/ESN members in Anambra State’s Igbo Ukwu and Uga regions. The soldiers’ superior firepower neutralized one separatist and forced the others to flee, leaving behind two black unregistered Lexus SUVs, a pump-action gun, and three cartridges.
A day earlier, troops at FOB Lilu neutralized two armed IPOB/ESN operatives following a confrontation in which the separatists detonated several improvised explosive devices (IEDs). In the aftermath, the soldiers recovered several dangerous items, including three large pipe-borne IEDs, seven additional IEDs, a solar-powered CCTV camera, and eight batteries.
In another operation, conducted on October 9, the Joint Task Force raided an IPOB/ESN hideout in Enugwu Umuonyia, Aguata council area, where the criminals fled, abandoning a significant weapons cache. The troops recovered 78 rounds of 7.62mm and 9mm ammunition, 20 live cartridges, a pump-action gun, a locally made pistol, an AK-56 magazine, and six stolen vehicles.
By October 10, the military intensified their crackdown with a successful ambush on IPOB/ESN members in Lilu community, recovering several improvised grenades, IEDs, and a solar-powered CCTV camera. The following day, troops stationed at FOB Aguata repelled another attack, neutralizing a separatist and seizing two AK-47 rifles, 60 rounds of ammunition, 15 cartridges, and a Prado Jeep.
Apart from tackling separatist activities, the military’s efforts extended to illegal oil bunkering in the region. On October 15, troops destroyed five illegal oil refinery sites, including 15 distilling pots, 19 iron pipes, two pumping machines, and 75,000 liters of stolen crude oil. They also arrested five suspected oil bunkerers.
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The military’s rescue operations have been equally successful. On October 6, troops rescued an expatriate and three employees of DATUM Construction Company held captive by IPOB/ESN operatives. Furthermore, on October 10, they freed 10 sports journalists kidnapped while traveling to Uyo. Three SUVs were recovered, and a suspected kidnapper was arrested.
These rescues spanned across several states, including Ebonyi, Anambra, Imo, and Abia, as troops continued to liberate kidnapped victims and restore peace in affected communities.
Lt. Col. Unuakhalu reaffirmed the commitment of the 82 Division and the Joint Task Force to secure the South-East region, urging citizens to support the military by providing timely and credible information. He emphasized that the military’s mission to degrade and dismantle IPOB/ESN’s capabilities remains on course.
Citizens can contact the military through their toll-free number, 193 (Option 2), to report suspicious activities or provide relevant information. The Division encouraged the public to continue their daily activities without fear of intimidation, as security forces are working tirelessly to ensure their safety.