Troops of the Nigerian Army have recorded major operational gains in the South-East and South-South regions, dislodging suspected IPOB/Eastern Security Network (ESN) fighters from key hideouts and arresting suspected kidnappers during coordinated, intelligence-led operations.
A senior military source disclosed that troops of Operation UDO KA successfully routed suspected IPOB/ESN elements from their enclaves in the Mother Valley general area of Orsumoghu, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
According to the source, the operation was launched following actionable intelligence that the terrorists were mobilising to enforce an illegal sit-at-home order in the area on February 2.
Ground forces, supported by air assets, carried out coordinated offensive actions that forced the fighters to flee into surrounding forests.
“Radio intercepts and aerial surveillance indicated that several of the fighters were neutralised during the engagement, while troops have continued to dominate the area to intercept fleeing or wounded elements,” the source said.
In a related operation in Ebonyi State, the source revealed that troops acting on credible intelligence uncovered a mass burial site at Amasiri in Afikpo North Local Government Area.
The site reportedly contained bodies of victims believed to have been killed during earlier attacks on neighbouring communities.
“One of the victims, identified as a recently missing person, was evacuated to a morgue in Afikpo for preservation and further investigation,” the source added.
Meanwhile, in the South-South region, troops of 4 Brigade, working in collaboration with the Nigeria Police, arrested five suspected kidnappers during a raid on a criminal hideout at Agbede Forest in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
Items recovered during the operation included two motorcycles, five mobile phones and a power bank believed to have been used in kidnapping operations.
The suspects and recovered items were handed over to the Edo State Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.
The source said the sustained operations underscored continued pressure on criminal and secessionist elements, improved intelligence coordination among security agencies, and the military’s resolve to restore peace, security and normalcy across the South-East and South-South regions.
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