Troops destroy IPOB, ESN camps in Imo, discover corpses

• The details were provided in a statement on Monday from Enugu by Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu
  

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Troops belonging to the Joint Task Force, South-East, known as Operation UDO KA II, successfully cleared four camps linked to the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed faction, Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Imo State.

During this operation, the troops neutralized two IPOB/ESN fighters and apprehended four criminals.

The details were provided in a statement on Monday from Enugu by Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, the acting deputy director of Army Public Relations at the 82 Division, Nigerian Army, representing the Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA II.

Mr. Unuakhalu specified that the cleared camps were located in three communities – Ihube, Aku, and Umulolo – within the Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State.

The clearance and recovery operation took place on Sunday, October 1, 2023. During the mission, the troops encountered numerous Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) strategically placed en route to the camps.

Despite facing these threats, the troops’ superior firepower forced members of the irredentist group to retreat into neighboring forests, sustaining gunshot wounds.

“It was discovered that the camps were being used to perpetuate atrocities such as cannibalism, occultic practices, and ritual killings to instill fears into law-abiding citizens.

“These were evident from many fresh and old corpses discovered while clearing the entire camps.

“Also, the houses of the two spiritual leaders and herbalists that took to their heels were destroyed.

“Furthermore, the shrine of the wanted terrorist, Amobi Chinoso Okafor, alias Temple, where human sacrifices are being made, was destroyed,” he said.

Mr Unuakhalu said the items recovered from the camps included different denominations of the Biafra currencies, one new power bike, four motorcycles, and solar panels.

“Operation UDO KA II will continue combating crime and criminality in accordance with the extant rules and regulations guiding its operations,” he added.