By Tony Adibe
Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation ‘UDO KA’ said they have neturalized a commander and three members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), in communities within Imo.
The Spokesman for Joint Task Force Operation ‘UDO KA’, Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu said in a statement on Tuesday in Enugu that troops based on reliable Intelligence had on 6 May, 2024, stormed in their hide-outs in the communities. Unuakhalu noted that the troops conducted special clearance in the general area of Udda, Ihittukwa and Orsumoghu communities in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo.
He said that sequel to the capture of the notorious stronghold of the IPOB/ESN at Mother Valley, the criminal elements have been making efforts to establish other camps in the general area and other places. He said: “During the special clearance operations troops came in contact with the terrorists who expectantly employed Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to stop the advancing troops.
“However, the gallant joint troops with superior fire power forced the criminals to withdraw in disarray. In the encounter, four of the irredentists were neturalized and others escaped with gunshots wounds. One of the IPOB/ESN commanders, Tochukwu Aka Ojoto, in-charge of Ihietukwa Command despite many charms on his body was neutralized.”
The spokesman said that items recovered from the hideouts raided included: one AK 47 Rifle with two magazines, two automatic pump action guns, three handheld Baofeng radios, one laptop and one Techno phone. Others items were: car keys, substance suspected to be marijuana, Baifran currencies, five IEDs, IEDs making materials, batteries used in detonation of the IEDs and assorted charms.
“The Force Commander of Joint Task Force Operation ‘UDO KA’, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, wishes to assure all citizens of the Joint Task Force commitment to ensure peace and stability in the region (South-East).
“The general public are enjoined to continue providing timely, reliable and credible information through its Toll-Free line – 193 – and press Option 2 to speak directly to a representative,” he added.
