The Nigerian Army has made known that its troops have nabbed two suspects and seized rocket propeller as well as improvised Explosive Device (IED) making materials from terrorists in Imo State.
The announcement was made by the Army in a statement released on Friday in Enugu by Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, the spokesperson of Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA II.
“Troops of Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA II as a follow up to its desire to apprehend the IPOB/ESN terrorists that are on the run from its last clearance operation on Thursday, 5 October 2023 conducted another clearance operation along Ihioma-Ihittenansa in Orsu Local Government Area (LGA) and Okigwe-Umulolo in Okigwe LGA of Imo State respectively,” Unuakhalu said.
He stated that the clearance operations were conducted with the aim of locating and dismantling potential camps of the fleeing IPOB/ESN terrorists who have been causing harm, including extortion, to innocent citizens in the South East region under the guise of agitation.
During the coordinated clearance operations in Umulolo, one of the military vehicles was struck by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), fortunately, resulting in no casualties.
The troops also engaged with the terrorists, who, due to the overwhelming firepower, fled into nearby bushes with gunshot wounds.
At Umulolo, two suspects were apprehended, and a cache of items was recovered. These included two locally crafted firearms, ammunition, a PKT machine gun barrel, a large homemade Rocket Propelled Launcher (Ogbunigwe), and materials for making IEDs.
Additionally, three CCTV cameras, two laptops with a charger, eight mobile phones, three pairs of boots, a set of camouflage shorts, two motorcycles, and a beret were among the items discovered.
Additionally, the troops destroyed three shrines that the terrorists used for fortification. After clearing the area, they continued to operate and patrol along Road IHIOMA – IHITTENANSA in ORSU LGA.
Despite encountering IEDs, the troops made contact and engaged with some IPOB/ESN terrorists around EKETUTU Market. The terrorists fled into the nearby forests of Lilu and Mother Valleys with gunshot wounds on motorcycles.
The troops also recovered two CCTV cameras that were carefully concealed at the highest point in the area, as well as some IED-making materials. They successfully cleared the terrorists from EKETUTU Market.
“Operation UDO KA II will continue combating ritual killings, cannibalism, kidnapping for ransom and extortion of hardworking and law abiding citizens,” Unuakhalu assured.
“These terrorists, mostly the condemned criminals that escaped from Owerri jail breaks are low lives that are being used by a criminal abroad to unleash mayhem on all of us.”
“All Ndigbos should join hands to ensure these terrorists do not determine how we live our lives.”
“Law abiding and good citizens of the South-East region are enjoined to provide timely, credible and reliable Information to end the insecurity in the region (Alaigbo).”