Troops under Operation Eastern Sanity have dismantled several camps belonging to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network.
The operations were carried out at Camp Gbadoanya in Orsumoghu and led to the recovery of weapons, explosive materials and secessionist items on March 3 and 4.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Nigerian Army said the operation was conducted alongside other security agencies and supported by the Nigerian Air Force.
“Troops of Operation EASTERN SANITY is sustaining aggressive clearance operations against the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), within the Area of Operations. The coordinated operation is aimed at restoring lasting peace and security in the region.
“On 3 March 2026, troops in conjunction with other security agencies, with close air support from the Nigerian Air Force continued the ongoing clearance operations at Camp Gbadoanya in Orsumoghu, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. The joint force advanced to clear remnants of IPOB/ESN terrorists operating in the camp and its surrounding areas,” the Army said.
According to the statement, soldiers moved through the camp and nearby areas, uncovering and destroying several insurgent hideouts. Items recovered during the first day of the operation included pump-action guns, locally fabricated dane guns, rifle magazines, rifle components, belts of ammunition, cutting machines, materials used for making IEDs, Biafran currencies and musical instruments linked to a Biafran Army band.
“A Biafran flag and a Biafran Army Headquarters flag were also recovered. Troops destroyed the flags and hoisted Nigerian flag in the camps,” the Army added.
Operations continued the following day as troops destroyed additional camps within the Gbadoanya area.
One of the major discoveries on the second day was a fully functional IED fabrication site, which was carefully examined before being destroyed.
The statement read, “Troops also discovered and dismantled an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) fabrication site, which was carefully exploited and destroyed.
“Several IED-making items were recovered from the sites. These include, several welding machines, drilling machines and filling machines.
“Several car batteries, one electrode welding handle, twelve locally fabricated guns and rifle components, as well as other IED equipment.”
Military operations against IPOB and its armed wing, the ESN, in Anambra State have intensified in recent months.
Troops had earlier forced the group out of Lilu Forest and in February 2026 launched a raid on a command centre in Nkwere, where one militant was neutralised and two others were arrested.
Earlier in July 2025, soldiers apprehended a suspected logistics supplier for IPOB/ESN in Ihiala, recovering POS machines and cash believed to have been used to finance separatist activities.
The group was officially proscribed by the Federal Government in 2017.
