.jpeg "In Imo, troops detain two militants and recover a rocket propeller.")
The declaration was made by the Army in a statement released on Friday in Enugu, as communicated by Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, the spokesperson of Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA II.
According to Unuakhalu, the troops belonging to Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA II conducted a subsequent clearance operation in order to apprehend the IPOB/ESN terrorists who were evading capture after the previous clearance operation on Thursday, 5 October 2023. This operation took place in the areas of Ihioma-Ihittenansa in Orsu Local Government Area (LGA) and Okigwe-Umulolo in Okigwe LGA of Imo State.
According to his statement, the clearance operations were conducted with the objective of locating and eliminating potential encampments of the IPOB/ESN terrorists who have been causing harm and injury to innocent individuals in the South East region, while also engaging in extortion under the guise of agitation.
During the concurrent clearance operations at Umulolo, an incident occurred in which one of the military vehicles was struck by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Fortunately, there were no casualties reported as a result of this event.
The military personnel also encountered the terrorists, who, as a result of the overwhelming firepower, sought refuge in the adjacent vegetation while sustaining gunshot injuries.
Two individuals were apprehended and a collection of items were seized at the location known as Umulolo. The confiscated items consist of two firearms of domestic origin, ammunition, one barrel for a PKT machine gun, one large domestically manufactured Rocket Propelled Launcher (often referred to as Ogbunigwe), and supplies used for the construction of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The inventory consists of three closed-circuit television cameras, two laptop computers along with their respective chargers, eight mobile phones, three pairs of boots, a pair of camouflage shorts, two motorcycles, and a beret.
Moreover, three temples that were utilized by the terrorists for the purpose of fortification were successfully demolished. Operations and fighting patrols were conducted along Road IHIOMA - IHITTENANSA in ORSU LGA.
In spite of the military personnel's encounters with improvised explosive devices (IEDs), they successfully initiated contact and confronted certain individuals affiliated with the Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) near EKETUTU Market. These individuals subsequently escaped on motorcycles into the nearby forests of Lilu and Mother Valleys, having sustained gunshot injuries.
The military personnel also discovered two closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras that were discreetly hidden at the most elevated location within the vicinity. Additionally, they encountered some items used for the production of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during the successful operation to eliminate the presence of terrorists from the EKETUTU market.
Unuakhalu provided assurance that Operation UDO KA II will persist in its efforts to prevent ritual killings, cannibalism, kidnapping for ransom, and extortion targeting diligent and law-abiding individuals.
The individuals involved in these acts of terrorism primarily consist of escaped inmates from Owerri prison, who are being manipulated by a criminal residing overseas to perpetrate widespread chaos within our society.
It is imperative for individuals of Igbo descent to collectively collaborate in order to prevent the influence of these extremist groups from dictating the course of our livelihoods.
The residents who adhere to the law and exhibit good citizenship in the South-East region are encouraged to promptly and accurately share information that is trustworthy and dependable, with the aim of resolving the prevailing security challenges in the region, also known as Alaigbo.