Troops of Sector 5 of the Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA, have neutralised three suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), during a joint operation in Anambra State.
The Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement posted on its official X account on Wednesday, noting that the operation was carried out in collaboration with other security agencies following actionable intelligence.
According to the Army, security operatives received reports of armed criminals allegedly disguising themselves in military and police uniforms to carry out attacks within the state. Acting on the intelligence, the joint team tracked the suspects along the Ogboji–Ajali corridor in Orumba South Local Government Area on June 23.
The suspects, who were travelling in a white Toyota Sienna vehicle, were intercepted by security personnel, leading to an exchange of gunfire during which three of the operatives were killed.
“Acting on credible intelligence on armed criminals reportedly masquerading in military camouflage and Nigeria Police uniforms to perpetrate violent attacks, the joint security team swiftly mobilised and tracked the suspects along the Ogboji–Ajali axis in Orumba South Local Government Area,” the Army stated.
Following the operation, troops conducted a search of the area and recovered a cache of arms, ammunition and other items. The recovered exhibits included PKM machine guns with 53 rounds of ammunition, two AK-47 rifles, additional rounds of 7.62mm and 5.56mm ammunition, four improvised explosive devices, communication gadgets, a laptop computer and the vehicle allegedly used by the suspects.
The Army added that identification materials and financial documents linked to suspected members of the group were also recovered during the operation.
It described the operation as another significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal and terrorist networks operating in the South-East region.
The statement noted that troops have continued to comb the area to track down other members of the group who escaped during the encounter, including those believed to have sustained injuries.
Reaffirming its commitment to national security, the Nigerian Army assured residents that it would continue to work with sister services and other security agencies to deny criminal elements freedom of operation and maintain peace across the region.
The Army also urged members of the public to support security efforts by providing timely and credible information to relevant authorities.
