RismadarVoice Reporters, June 24, 2026
Troops of Sector Five of the Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA, in collaboration with other security agencies, have neutralised three suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, ESN, during an operation in Anambra State.
The operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of armed criminals allegedly disguising themselves in military camouflage and police uniforms to carry out violent attacks in parts of the state.
According to a statement by the Nigerian Army, the joint security team tracked the suspects along the Ogboji–Ajali axis in Orumba South Local Government Area on June 23 and intercepted them while travelling in a white Toyota Sienna vehicle.
The encounter resulted in a gun battle during which three of the suspected ESN operatives were neutralised.
The Army said troops subsequently conducted a search of the area and recovered a PKM machine gun with 53 rounds of ammunition, two AK-47 rifles, additional rounds of 7.62 millimetre and 5.56 millimetre ammunition, four improvised explosive devices, communication gadgets, a laptop, and the vehicle allegedly used by the suspects.
Also recovered were identification and financial documents believed to belong to members of the group.
The Nigerian Army described the operation as a major success in ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal and terrorist networks threatening peace and security in the South-East region.
It added that troops are continuing exploitation operations in the area to track down and apprehend fleeing members of the group.
The Army reaffirmed its commitment, in collaboration with other security agencies, to maintaining peace and security across the country and urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support security operations.
