The Defence Headquarters has on Thursday disclosed that following the killing of 5 soldiers at a checkpoint by terrorists of IPOB/ESN in Abia state, troops arrested over 100 suspects in the search for perpetrators of the dastardly act, but noted that those found innocent of the act have been released to go while those found culpable are under detention and assisting in the course of investigation.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major Gen Edward Buba, made this known, by saying, “Troops conducted several intelligences-based operations that led to the discovery and destruction of several IPOB/ESN terrorist’s camps across the region such as at Igboro Forest in Arochukwu LGA of Abia State among others.
“Several arrests were made from the raids with those found to be guilty still in detention. Surely, there is intelligence value to the raids and arrests that were made.
“Those in detention are assisting troops in locating other camps, sleeper cells, and high-profile individuals involved in the activities of the terrorist group.
In another development, troops of Operation Udoka have neutralized 13 terrorists, arrested 25 violent extremists, and rescued 15 hostages during encounters with criminal elements in the last week in the South East.
“Troops recovered one AK47 rifle, one fabricated rifle, 4 Dane guns, 2 pump action guns, 2 fabricated Berretta pistols, one double barrel, one short Dane gun, 5 locally made pistols, one locally fabricated RPG tube, one fabricated Arty gun, 10 fabricated Arty bombs, 42 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 8 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 62 live cartridges and 21 cartridges (expended), one ECOME HH radio, one vehicle and one motorcycle among others.
“The operations led to the arrest of suspected violent extremists/IPOB/ESN and foiled kidnap incidents in Obingwa and Anambra West LGAs of Abia and Anambra State as well as Isiala Mbano and Ohaji/Egbema LGAs of Imo State.
“On 3 June 2024, following INTREP troops raided a suspected violent extremists/IPOB/ESN shrine and Palace of Eze Ngozi Obia in Obingwa LGA of Abia State. During the operations, troops arrested 11 suspected violent extremists including the Eze, and recovered 3 Dane guns, 21 expended cartridges, 8 rounds of 7.62 units 54mm ammunition, gunpowder, and assorted charms.
“On 4 and 5 June 2024, troops while on patrol intercepted and arrested 2 suspected violent extremists/IPOB/ESN members in Isiala Mbano and Ohaji/Egbema LGAs of Imo State.
“Between 4 and 9 June 2024, following INTREP troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 5 suspected violent extremists/IPOB/ESN members in Isiala Mbano and Ohaji/Egbema LGAs of Imo State as well as Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi State.
“During the operations, troops recovered 2 fabricated Beretta pistols, 2 locally made pistols, one short Dane gun, 11 rounds of 9mm ammo, one stolen motorcycle and one stolen vehicle.
“On 4 June 2024, troops while on routine patrol made contact with violent extremists/kidnappers in Anambra-West LGA of Anambra State.
“Following a firefight, troops neutralized 2 extremists and rescued 2 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered one fabricated AK47 rifle, one pump action gun, 11 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, and 16 cartridges.
“Between 5 and 9 June 2024, troops in separate offensive operations made contact with violent extremists/IPOB/ESN members in Ohaozara and Arochukwu LGAs of Ebonyi and Abia States as well as Orlu LGA of Imo State.
“Following a firefight, troops neutralized 4 extremists and arrested 3 suspects. Troops also recovered one locally fabricated RPG tube, one fabricated artillery gun with 10 fabricated artillery bombs, one loaded Dane gun, one double barrels gun, 3 locally made pistols, one special weapon tripod, 30 live cartridges, and 3 mobile phones amongst others.
“On 4 June 2024, troops while conducting counter/anti Kidnapping operation made contact with violent extremists in Anambra – East LGA of Anambra State. Following a firefight, troops neutralized 2 extremists and rescued 2 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered one fabricated AK47 rifle, one pump action gun, 31 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 16 cartridges, and one ECOME HH radio.”
