TROOPS of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army and the Joint Task Force, Southeast, code-named Operation UDO KA, said they have smashed camps of two armed groups operating within the zone.
A statement by the Acting Deputy Director, 82 Division, Army Public Relations, Lt-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, on Wednesday, October 23, in Enugu, added that four members of the groups were neutralised, while 14 persons held hostage by the groups were rescued.
Unuakhalu said the operation, which was well-executed, also led to the clamped down on the activities of illegal oil bunkers within its joint operation area.
He explained that in the early hours of Tuesday, October 22, troops of Sector 5 of Operation UDO KA and other security agencies came in contact with the groups at Igbo-Ukwu and Uga axis of Aguata Local Council of Anambra State, adding: “During the fire fight, the troops’ superior firepower forced the criminals to flee in disarray.
“During the encounter, one member of the groups was neutralised, two black coloured Lexus Jeeps with no registration number and one pump action gun with three cartridges were recovered.
“On Monday, October 21, troops deployed at FOB Lilu also came in contact with the terrorist group after detonating the Improvise Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted along the supply route.
“The troops successfully neutralised two of the terrorists, recovered one pump action short gun, one solar CCTV camera, three large pipe-Borne IED, seven IEDs and eight batteries.”
Unuakhalu said that troops of the Joint Task Force, on Wednesday, October 9, stormed one of the groups hideout in the Enugwu Umuonyia community in Aguata, overwhelming the group members in the ensuing firefight, as the terrorists fled, leaving behind a cache of arms and logistics.
“The troops swiftly searched and destroyed the hideouts, recovering 78 rounds of 7.62mm and 39mm ammunition, 13 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 20 live cartridges, a pump-action gun, a locally fabricated pistol, an AK-56 magazine and six vehicles found within the camp.
“The vehicles were those stolen from well-meaning Igbos of the region by the criminal elements.”
The spokesman added that on October 10, troops of 82 Division carried out an ambush operation in Lilu community in Anambra State to deter the irredentists’ freedom of action, as well as carried out similar operations in Ohafia Local Council Abia State and Umu-Abor Lilu in Anambra State, where they successfully rescued an expatriate and three staff of DATUM Construction Company.
He stated: “Also on Thursday, October 10, 10 sports journalists, who were earlier kidnapped on their way to Uyo were rescued. During the rescue operation, troops arrested one suspected kidnapper and recovered three SUV jeeps.
“The rescue operations were conducted in Ajalli-Ugbuntra, Orumba South Local Council; Aguleri/Amarulu village in Ihiala, both in Anambra State, Orlu Local Council in Imo State as well as Umuahia North Local Council in Abia State.”
