By Benson Daniel
Troops of the newly established 15 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have dismantled three suspected camps operated by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, in Anambra State.
The operation, conducted in the early hours of Saturday, August 15, was carried out around Osuakwa, along the boundary between Ihiala and Ogbaru Local Government Areas of the state.
The troops, operating under the Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, conducted the operation alongside personnel of the Department of State Services and members of the Agunechemba Vigilante Group.
According to the Army, the joint team acted on intelligence concerning the activities of suspected IPOB/ESN elements operating from the identified locations. The troops reportedly came under hostile fire during the operation, leading to a gun battle in which three suspected members of the group were neutralised.
Following the engagement, the three camps were overrun and destroyed to prevent them from being used again as operational bases.
The troops also recovered a cache of weapons, explosives and other items during the operation. The recovered items included an FN rifle loaded with 10 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, a pump action shotgun with five cartridges and 15 sticks of dynamite.
Other items recovered included four motorcycles, a gas cylinder, three hybrid batteries, two car batteries and three handheld radio chargers.
The operation was subsequently expanded as troops conducted further searches around the affected locations. The Army said the exercise led to the arrest of a suspected IPOB/ESN member identified as Chijioke, as well as a man and a woman suspected of being accomplices.
The three arrested individuals were reportedly found in the company of six children during the operation. They were taken into custody for further investigation.
The latest operation forms part of continuing efforts by security agencies to dismantle criminal and armed networks operating in parts of the South East.
The establishment of the 15 Brigade is expected to strengthen the Army’s presence and response capabilities in Anambra, particularly in areas affected by insecurity and criminal activities.
The security operation also highlights the increasing reliance on intelligence gathering and collaboration between military personnel, intelligence agencies and local security groups in tackling security threats.
The Army said the successful operation represents another setback for suspected IPOB/ESN elements seeking to establish operational bases in the state.
The Commander of the 15 Brigade commended the troops and other personnel involved in the operation for their courage, discipline and cooperation.
He assured residents that security forces would sustain intelligence led operations aimed at locating and dismantling criminal networks while working with local stakeholders to improve security across affected communities.
Authorities are expected to continue investigations into the arrested suspects and the recovered weapons and explosives as security agencies work to determine the wider network connected to the camps.
The operation comes amid continued security challenges in parts of the South East, where authorities have intensified efforts to prevent attacks, protect communities and restore normal economic and social activities.
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