Enugu, Oct. 23, 2024 (TheGavel) – Troops from the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Joint Task Force (JTF) South-East under “Operation UDO KA,” have successfully dismantled several camps operated by armed groups in the South-East region. The military operation, which spanned several days, neutralized a number of criminals and rescued 14 individuals who had been held hostage by the armed factions.
In a statement released on Wednesday in Enugu, Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 82 Division, detailed the success of the operations, which also targeted illegal oil bunkering activities within the joint operational areas.
Operations Unleash Heavy Blow on Armed Groups
Unuakhalu explained that in the early hours of Tuesday, October 22, troops from Sector 5 of “Operation UDO KA,” in conjunction with other security agencies, engaged armed groups near the Igbo Ukwu and Uga axis of Aguata Local Government Area (LGA) in Anambra State. The troops, wielding superior firepower, overwhelmed the criminal elements, forcing them to flee.
“One member of the armed group was neutralized during the encounter, and the troops successfully recovered two black Lexus Jeeps with no registration numbers, along with a pump-action shotgun and three cartridges,” Unuakhalu stated.
He further revealed that, on Monday, October 21, troops stationed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Lilu encountered another terrorist group after the militants detonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along the supply route. In the ensuing operation, two terrorists were neutralized, and the troops recovered a range of dangerous equipment, including one pump-action shotgun, a solar CCTV camera, three large pipe-borne IEDs, seven additional IEDs, and eight batteries.
Raids Across Hideouts Yield Arms and Ammunition
In a related operation, on Wednesday, October 9, the troops stormed another hideout of armed groups in the Enugwu Umuonyia community, also located in Aguata LGA. The criminals, overwhelmed by the military’s firepower, abandoned their weapons and fled. The soldiers swiftly searched and destroyed the camps, seizing a significant cache of arms and ammunition.
“The troops recovered 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. These vehicles were stolen from law-abiding citizens of the region by the criminal elements,” Unuakhalu added.
Successful Rescue Operations Across the Region
On October 10, troops also conducted an ambush operation in Lilu community, Anambra State, to curtail further militant activities. In other coordinated operations within Ohafia LGA in Abia State and Umu-Abor Lilu in Anambra, the soldiers successfully rescued an expatriate and three staff members of DATUM Construction Company, who had been held captive by the armed groups.
The Army spokesman also recounted the successful rescue of 10 sports journalists who had been kidnapped while en route to Uyo. The rescue, which took place on Thursday, October 10, led to the arrest of one suspected kidnapper and the recovery of three SUVs used by the kidnappers.
Operations Extend to Multiple States
The series of operations stretched across multiple locations, including Ajalli-Ugbuntra in Orumba South LGA, Aguleri/Amarulu village in Ihiala (both in Anambra State), Orlu LGA in Imo State, and Umuahia North LGA in Abia State. These actions underscored the military’s continued efforts to eliminate armed criminal activities and ensure the safety of citizens in the region.
The Nigerian Army reiterated its commitment to maintaining peace and security across the South-East and urged citizens to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and useful information.(NAN)
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