Troops of the Joint Task Force South-East, code-named “Operation UDO KA” have neutralised 13 members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and nabbed three kidnappers.
Spokesman of “Operation UDO KA,” Lt. Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, said in a statement on Monday in Enugu that the feat was in furtherance of its clearance operations to make the South-East safe and peaceful throughout the yuletide.
Lt. Col. Unuakhalu said that the Force Commander of Operation “UDO KA,” Maj. Gen. Hassan Dada, had called on all well-meaning citizens to continue supporting the joint task force by providing timely, reliable and credible information in order to make the region peaceful throughout the yuletide period and beyond.
On operational details, Lt. Col. Unuakhalu said that troops of Sector 1 of “Operation UDO KA” on December 21, conducted an ambush operation along the Amouka-Umouka Road at 9th Mile in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State they came in contact with a gang of kidnappers and in the ensuing firefight, the troops neutralised one suspect, while the others escaped with gunshot wounds.
“Items recovered at the scene were one AK-47 rifle, two magazines and 17 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two cellphones, one power-bank, three ATM cards, one wristwatch, a bunch of keys and N8,900 cash,” he said.
Equally, the spokesman said that on December 16, troops of Sector 5 conducted a clearance operation within Obosi and Isseke in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
He said that during the operation, troops came in contact with IPOB members, neutralising three members of the group while others fled into the surrounding bushes.
Items recovered from the fleeing IPOB members are one AK-47 rifle, two loaded AK-47 magazine and three dane guns while a house belonging to one of the irredentist commander and a shrine used for their fortification were destroyed.
“The gallant troops had earlier recovered five water gel improvised explosive devices and two batteries used for detonating the explosives while on routine patrol along Ihiala–Orlu, Lilu, Agba Lilu and Orsumoghu general area in Anambra State.
Similarly, he added that on December 15, troops deployed at Ekeututu Market in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State came under attack by pockets of the irredentist.
“However, the gallant and vigilant troops repelled the attack with superior fire power forcing the terrorists to withdraw in disarray, while during exploitation one AK-47 rifle was recovered,” he said.
Lt. Col. Unuakhalu noted that on December 14, troops acting on credible and reliable information from members of the public, arrested three suspected kidnappers at Itungwa in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State.
He said that on receiving the information about the movement of the suspected kidnappers, troops quickly mounted a snap checkpoint in order to apprehend the suspects.
“The suspects operating in a stolen tricycle on sighting the troops attempted to make a U- turn but were apprehended.
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Items recovered include one AK-47 rifle, one G3 rifle, one locally-made single barrel pistol, 10 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 34 round of 5.5mm ammunitions, two AK-47 rifle magazine, two G3 rifle magazine and one live cartridge.
“Other items recovered were one mobile phone, N6, 600 and two knapsack used for concealing the weapons,” he said.
In the same vein, on December 11, he said that troops in continuation of its clearance operation in conjunction with sister services and paramilitary agencies, cleared Ezioha general area in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
Lt. Col. Unuakhalu disclosed that troops in conjunction with the air force and other security agencies on arrival at Umuaka community came in contact with the IPOB/ESN terrorists group.
“During the firefight troops neutralised nine of the irredentist while others fled into the nearby bushes with gunshot wounds. Items recovered were military and customs uniforms, Biafra currencies, one CCTV camera and charms and four command improvised explosive devices were detonated and the phones used in detonating the explosives were recovered,”| he stated.
