Troops of Sector 5 of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA Wednesday, killed some members of the Indigenous People of Biafara (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Anambra State.
Statement from the Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA, signed by Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Onah Eromosele Unuakhalu
and made available to Newsmen on Wednesday in Enugu , said, “The gallant troops who were on clearance operation to identified IPOB/ESN Ogunka Camp in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State came in contact with the irredentists on arrival at the camp.
“During the firefight the irredentists attempted to flee through their escape route but were engaged by the blocking force neutralizing Five of the irredentists. Items recovered included; Two AK 47 Rifle, One Pump action gun, Four Improvised Explosive Devices(IEDs) and 12V/75 Amp Battery use for detonating the IEDs.
“In the same vein, on 13 January 2025, troops of the sector deployed at Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State apprehended Five suspected IPOB/ESN members. The suspects were arrested while driving a black Ford Edge with registration number Abuja ABC 535 AE coming from Ogboji Aguluzenechikwu road , Aguata LGA.
“The suspects on reaching the Forward Operating Base (FOB) checkpoint decided to open the barricades to gain access into the base, however the vigilant troops were able to stop them and on further search of the vehicle, One locally made pistol, Three live Cartridges and Nine mobile phones were recovered.
“Similarly, on the 8 January 2025 while troops were on routine patrol along Orsumoghu – Burrow Pit road in Anambra State. Troops came in contact with the irredentists neutralizing Three. On further scan of the area, Two IED cylinders about to be buried by the roadside by the irredentists were discovered. In the process of detonating the IED it exploded and one soldier paid the supreme price.
“Also, troops of Sector 1 responded to a distress call of kidnapping activities of passengers travelling along Igbo Eze Local Government Area of Enugu State and the boundary between Enugu and Kogi States.
The combined troops comprising the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force and other security agencies moved swiftly into action and went in pursuit of the kidnappers through their escaping route forcing them to release all the kidnapped passengers in batches with the last two of their victims released yesterday. Efforts still ongoing to discover the kidnappers den.,” he said
Unuakhalu said Operation UDO KA had further intensified the fight against illegal oil bunkering, on 13 January 2025, troops of Sector 4 deployed at Egbema West in Imo State conducted an anti-illegal bunkering operation.
According to him, “during the operation, troops discovered an illegal oil bunkering site with Fifteen cooking drums, Five reservoirs containing approximately 5,000 litres of illegal refined Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), 1,500 liters of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and a hose of approximately 2km long which were destroyed immediately.
“The Force Commander Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA Major General Hassan Dada is calling on all well-meaning citizens to continue supporting the Joint Task Force by providing timely, reliable and credible information in order to make the South East region peaceful. Remember, security is everybody’s business. It’s 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.
“The Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA will continue to carry out its constitutional roles of safeguarding lives and property in line with global best practice as laid down in the rules of engagement and code of conducts guiding its operations,” he said.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama