Troops from the Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, demolished known IPOB/ESN strongholds in Anambra State’s Ogbaru Local Government Area, recovering guns, motorcycles, and supplies used to manufacture improvised explosive devices.
The operation took place on Saturday, August 22, 2026, in coordination with the maritime component, Department of State Services, and the Anambra Vigilante Group.
According to the Nigerian Army’s X account, the joint force launched a coordinated daybreak onslaught against selected strongholds in Obene and Abator villages of the Ochuche and Umunankwo communities.
The Army said that the purported IPOB/ESN members opened fire on the oncoming forces before fleeing into the surrounding countryside.
“Troops responded with superior firepower and immediately pursued the fleeing elements,” the Army said.
It also mentioned that blood stains observed along the withdrawal route indicated that some of the fleeing elements may have sustained gunshot wounds.
During the pursuit, the Army stated that one suspected member was neutralized, while other fleeing members fled with the body of another neutralized member.
A further investigation of the abandoned strongholds yielded two pump-action weapons, two motorcycles, IED-making supplies, and other stuff.
The Army praised the capture of the explosive-making supplies as a “significant operational gain,” claiming that it would further weaken the group’s ability to create explosive devices for assaults on security forces, important infrastructure, and civilians.
The military then consolidated their positions and increased operations in the surrounding areas to chase down fleeing members and keep them from reforming.
The Army stated that the ongoing operations aimed to deny such groups safe havens, reduce their operational capabilities, and create a safer environment for law-abiding residents and towns throughout the region.
The recent raid comes just days after troops from raid UDO KA demolished three suspected IPOB/ESN camps in another section of Anambra State, according to the army. That operation allegedly resulted in the recovery of weapons, dynamite, and other goods.
