In a decisive operation, troops of the Joint Task Force South-East, under Operation UDO KA, have successfully cleared camps belonging to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in three states: Imo, Enugu, and Ebonyi.
The operation, which was carried out with the combined forces of the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Department of State Services, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, marks a significant blow to the activities of the proscribed group.
On Friday, the troops stormed the camp at Uhuala-Aku, located in Okigwe Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State. Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, the spokesperson for the task force, explained that the IPOB members, upon encountering the superior firepower of the troops, fled in disarray into the nearby forest.
Among the recovered items from the camp were: one G3 rifle, two pump action rifles, three dane guns, one locally fabricated pistol, an MG belt, and two AK-47 rifle magazines. Also found were 12 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, five rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, and a sack containing a human skull, which highlights the disturbing nature of the group’s operations.
The troops also seized one Toyota Hilux vehicle, six radio chargers, 12 car keys, and one Boafeng radio. In addition, 26 makeshift accommodations used by the IPOB members were destroyed during the operation.
A Well-Coordinated Operation
The success of the mission was due to the coordination between multiple security agencies working together to neutralize the threat posed by IPOB/ESN elements in the South-East region. The task force continues to push forward in its efforts to restore peace and security to the area.
On Saturday, the troops moved on to another IPOB/ESN camp located in Okposi, Ohaozara LGA, in Ebonyi State. Two suspects were arrested during the raid, and the troops recovered two locally fabricated pistols, nine live cartridges, and a motorcycle.
In yet another success, the troops raided an IPOB/ESN camp at Agu Orba in Ekwegbe community, Nsukka LGA, Enugu State. The camp was completely destroyed, and the following items were recovered: two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), one single barrel gun, 12 rifles under construction, two single revolver pistols, 10 pistols under construction, and two pistol magazines.
Other recoveries included 335 rounds of 7.62mm by 51mm live ammunition, 12 rounds of pump action rifle cartridges, and 11 empty cartridges. Additionally, 21 military desert boots, eight pairs of military raincoats, three IPOB/ESN flags, a first aid box, six cutlasses, two knives, as well as bags of rice and garri were seized.
Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, the Commander of Operation UDO KA, has urged citizens to continue supporting the security forces by embracing peace and dialogue as a means of ensuring stability in the region. “When you see something, say something,” Dada said, calling on citizens to contact the Joint Task Force’s toll-free line 193 and press Option 2 to report suspicious activities directly to the headquarters.
The Nigerian government has long condemned the activities of IPOB, which is classified as a terrorist organization, and has vowed to take decisive action against the group. The continued efforts of the Joint Task Force signal a commitment to restoring law and order to the region and preventing the spread of violent extremism.
The South-East has been a hotspot for insurgency and unrest in recent years, as IPOB and its armed affiliate, ESN, continue to target security forces, civilians, and infrastructure. The group’s aim to secede from Nigeria and establish an independent state of Biafra has led to violent confrontations with the Nigerian government, leaving a trail of destruction and instability in its wake.
The Nigerian military and security agencies have responded with intensified operations to neutralize IPOB’s influence, but the group’s ability to regroup in rural areas and forested regions continues to pose challenges for security forces. Despite these setbacks, the recent operation in Imo, Enugu, and Ebonyi states has dealt a severe blow to IPOB’s capabilities, and further operations are expected in the coming weeks.
