Troops from the Joint Task Force South East Operation Udo Ka II have successfully cleared four notorious camps belonging to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and their armed affiliates, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Ihube, Aku, and Umulolo in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State. This significant operation comes as a major blow to the illegal activities of these separatist groups.
The clearance operation, which took place on 1st October 2023, was not without challenges. Along the route to the camps, the troops encountered numerous Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). However, due to their superior firepower and tactical prowess, the irredentist elements were forced to flee into the neighbouring forests, many with gunshot wounds.
Upon clearing the camps, our troops made disturbing discoveries. These camps were being used to perpetuate heinous crimes such as cannibalism, occult practices, and ritualistic killings aimed at instilling fear in the law-abiding citizens of the region. The evidence of these atrocities was found in the form of fresh and decomposed corpses uncovered during the operation.
Furthermore, the residences of the two spiritual leaders/herbalists who fled were destroyed. Notably, the shrine of the wanted terrorist Amobi Chinoso Okafor, also known as “Temple,” where human sacrifices were made, was demolished, putting an end to these horrific practices.
During the operation, the Joint Task Force neutralized two IPOB/ESN members, while four of the criminals were apprehended. Several items were recovered from the camps, including various denominations of Biafra currencies, a new power bike, four motorcycles, solar panels, and other evidence linking them to criminal activities. Additionally, a petroleum tanker suspected to have been hijacked from hardworking Igbo owners trying to make a living was also recovered.
Operation Udo Ka II remains committed to combating crime and criminality in line with the existing rules and regulations governing its operations. We assure law-abiding citizens in the South-East region that we will continue to prioritize their safety and security.
We call on all good and law-abiding citizens in the region to take a stand against these devilish terrorists by providing timely, credible, and reliable information that will assist in ending the menace of insecurity caused by the activities of these terrorist groups.
