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Troops of the Joint Task Force South-East, code-named Operation UDO KA, have neutralised eight and apprehended five armed members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, in Anambra and Enugu states.
This was contained in a statement made available to journalists in Enugu by the spokesman of Operation UDO KA, Lt Col Jonah Unuakhalu, on Wednesday.
According to Unuakhalu, the Force Commander of Operation UDO KA, Maj Gen Hassan Dada, is calling on all well-meaning citizens to continue supporting the troops by providing timely, reliable, and credible information to help make the South-East peaceful.
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.
“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 practices as laid down in the rules of engagement and code of conduct guiding its operations.”
On the operational successes, Unuakhalu stated that troops of Sector 5 of Operation UDO KA on January 15 (today) dealt decisively with the irredentist IPOB and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network, ESN, in Anambra State.
“The gallant troops, who were on a clearance operation to an identified IPOB/ESN Ogunka Camp in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, came in contact with the irredentists upon arrival at the camp.
“During the firefight, the irredentists attempted to flee through their escape route but were engaged by the blocking force, neutralising five of them.
“Items recovered included two AK-47 rifles, one pump-action gun, four improvised explosive devices, IEDs, and a 12V/75 amp battery used for detonating the IEDs,” he said.
The army spokesman added that, in the same vein, on January 13, troops of the sector deployed in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra apprehended five suspected IPOB/ESN members.
He noted that the suspects were arrested while driving a black Ford Edge with registration number Abuja ABC 535 AE, coming from Ogboji-Aguluzenechikwu Road in Aguata LGA.
“The suspects, on reaching the Forward Operating Base checkpoint, decided to open the barricades to gain access to the base. However, the vigilant troops were able to stop them.
“On further searching the vehicle, the troops recovered one locally made pistol, three live cartridges, and nine mobile phones,” he said.
Unuakhalu also said that on January 8, troops on routine patrol along Orsumoghu-Burrow Pit Road in Anambra came in contact with the irredentists, neutralising three.
He said: “On further scanning 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.”
Unuakhalu further noted that troops of Sector 1 responded to a distress call regarding kidnapping activities targeting passengers travelling through 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 pursued the kidnappers along their escape route.
“The troops forced the kidnappers to release all the abducted passengers in batches, with the last two victims released yesterday. Efforts are still ongoing to locate the kidnappers’ den,” he said.
In a related development, Operation UDO KA has intensified its fight against illegal oil bunkering within the South-East.
The army spokesman said that on January 13, troops of Sector 4 deployed at Egbema West in Imo conducted an anti-illegal bunkering operation.
During the operation, troops discovered an illegal oil bunkering site with 15 cooking drums, five reservoirs containing approximately 5,000 litres of illegally refined dual-purpose kerosene, 1,500 litres of automotive gas oil, and a 2km-long hose, all of which were destroyed.
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