The troops of Joint Task Force South-East, code-named ‘Operation UDO KA’ has carried clearance operation in Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its Eastern Security Network (ESN) camps and apprehended two terrorists.
The troops of the operation, which is composed of the Army, Navy and the Air Force in conjunction with the Nigeria Police, Department of State Service and Civil Defence, recovered a large cache of firearms and ammunition from the camps raided.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Spokesman of ‘Operation UDO KA’, Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, on Sunday in Enugu.
Unuakhalu said that in continuation of its clearance operations, troops on Dec. 5, 2024 cleared IPOB/ESN Camp at Uhuala- Aku in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo.
“The combined force acting on credible intelligence on arrival at the terrorist’s camp came in contact with the irredentists who were forced to abandon their camp in disarray, escaping into the adjoining forest due to troops’ superior fire power.
“Items recovered included: One G3 rifle, two pump action rifles, three Dane guns, one locally-fabricated pistol, one MG belt, two AK 47 rifle magazines, 12 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition and five rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.
“Other items are: a sack containing a human skull, one Toyota Hilux Vehicle, six radio chargers, 20 car keys and one Boafeng radio. Troops also destroyed 26 makeshift accommodations in the camp,” he said.
Unuakhalu said that early Dec. 7, 2024, the troops of Sector 2 on receipt of reliable information about suspected members of the irredentists group terrorising the general area of Okposi community of Ebonyi quickly mobilised to the community.
According to him, on arrival, the troops arrested two suspects and recovered two locally-fabricated pistols, nine live cartridges and one motorcycle.
The spokesman said that similarly, troops of Sector 1 Operation UDO KA in conjunction with the Department of State Service raided IPOB/ESN camp at Agu Orba Ekwegbe Community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State.
He said, “During the raid operations, troops recovered the following locally fabricated items: two General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), one single barrel gun, 12 rifles under construction, two single revolver pistols, 10 pistols under construction and two pistol magazines.
“Others included: 335 rounds of 7.62mm by 51mm live ammunition, 12 rounds of pump action rifle live cartridges and 11 empty cartridges.
“The combined team also recovered 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. The camp was subsequently destroyed.”
Unuakhalu said that the Force Commander, Joint Task Force South East Operation, code-named ‘Operation UDO KA’, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, had called on all well-meaning citizens to embrace dialogue as a tool of maintaining peace and stability in the South-East.
He said, “Remember, security is everybody's business. It is not in the hands of security agencies alone.
“When you see something say something by calling the JTF Operation UDO KA's toll free line - 193 and press Option 2 - to speak directly to Headquarters Operation UDO KA in Enugu.
“The Joint Task Force South East, code-named ‘Operation UDO KA’ will continue to carry out its constitutional roles of safeguarding lives and property within the South-East.
“Operation UDO KA will continue to carry this out in line with global best practices as laid down in the rules of engagement and code of conduct guiding its operations.”
