Scores of persons are feared dead as the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets under the air component of Operation Udo Ka II, have bombed and destroyed the armouries and camps of members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Anambra State and its neighbouring state, Imo.
A statement by the NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said the fighter jets carried out several air strikes on the IPOB fighters’ hideouts in Mother Valley, Orsumoghu, in Nnewi South local government area of Anambra State and at Aku Ihube in Okigwe local government area of Imo State.
According to the NAF spokesman, the air operations were conducted following credible intelligence reports that the fighters had finalised plans to unleash mayhem on the residents and other states in the region.
Gabkwet said some of the bombed locations were fingered to be the armouries of the separatist movement.
Part of the statement read: “Aircraft under the Air Component of Operation Udo Ka II, on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, carried out several strikes on IPOB/ESN locations at Mother Valley Orsumughu in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State and at Aku Ihube in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State. The strikes at both locations achieved their intended outcome and were deemed effective.”
It added: “Acting on credible intelligence that IPOB/ESN terrorists had perfected plans to disrupt civic activities lined up in the coming days in Anambra State and other states in Southeast Nigeria from their concealed bunkers/hideouts at Mother Valley Orsumughu, air strikes were authorised in conjunction with ground troops and other security agencies on the location believed to also house some of their weapons and ammunitions.”
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The NAF spokesperson stated that “the strikes hit the target and were deemed successful, following the ball of fire, fleeing terrorists at the location as well as feedback received”.
“Air strikes were also conducted on, the same day, in close coordination with surface forces at IPOB/ESN hideout camps in Aku Ihube in Imo State after a detailed analysis of intelligence on the terrorists converging for a likely rendezvous at their hideout.
“Consequently, air strikes were also authorised to strike the hideout. The targets were acquired and attacked in succession, with a high degree of success.”
Findings have shown that more hard-hit operations would be carried out in other mapped out camps of IPOB and other such groups under whatever guise as the NAF tactical team strategise to root out armed groups across areas of their operation in the Southeast geo-political zone.
