Army Raids IPOB Camp in Abia, Neutralizes Six Terrorists in Retaliation for Soldier Killings

In a decisive operation against the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), Nigerian Army troops of Operation UDO KA have neutralized six terrorists in Abia State.

This raid, conducted in the Igboro Forest of Arochukwu Local Government Area, comes in response to an attack on army personnel in Aba last week.

The Nigerian Army announced the successful operation on its official X handle on Sunday, stating that the mission aimed to capture those responsible for the recent ambush on their troops. During the intelligence-led advance, soldiers encountered improvised explosive devices (IEDs) which caused minor injuries to one soldier due to fragments.

The troops’ superior firepower overwhelmed the terrorist group’s weak resistance, leading to the elimination of six members. The surviving terrorists fled into the surrounding forest, leaving behind bloodstains indicative of injuries sustained during their escape.

During the raid, the soldiers recovered an arsenal of weapons including two locally made artillery guns with tripods, three locally made rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and various bombs. Additionally, they found Dane guns, Biafran flags, and burned-out Toyota Tundra and Hilux vehicles. All discovered camps, marked with various inscriptions, were destroyed.

The Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA emphasized the importance of continued cooperation from the residents of Abia, urging them to provide timely and reliable information to help eradicate criminal activities in the state and across the Southeast region of Nigeria.

The raid follows a brutal attack by IPOB/ESN that resulted in the deaths of six soldiers at the Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in the Obingwa Local Government Area. The attackers, arriving in three-colored Toyota Prado SUVs and other vehicles, engaged the troops in a fierce firefight. The confrontation also led to the deaths of six civilians caught in the crossfire.

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Major General Edward Buba, the military’s spokesperson, expressed the armed forces’ deep sorrow over the loss of their soldiers and assured that a fierce response would follow. “Every soldier lost in combat is a terrible loss, and the armed forces mourn the loss of these troops. Investigations into the attack are still ongoing,” Buba stated. He reiterated the necessity of public support in combating terrorism, highlighting that the terrorists rely heavily on local support.

The IPOB/ESN attack was reportedly an enforcement of a sit-at-home directive across the Southeast, a tactic the group has used to assert its influence. In retaliation, the military has vowed to apply overwhelming pressure to ensure the complete defeat of the group.