Nigerian Army has said that the tension that was observed among residents in the Umuejegwo quarters at Umuaku village in Umunneochi local government area of Abia State on Thursday was as a result of gun battle that ensued between troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and Unknown Gunmen, the military authority described as members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network, ESN. 

Earlier, residents took to social media to raise alarm with video recording of tension in the Umuaku community.

According to some of the residents, homes were broken and a lot of youths in the community were taken away by the military. Adding, there was sporadic gunshots in Umuejegwo, Aguoma and Ozu areas of the Umuaku community.

The military authority in a news statement few hours ago, said that a combined team of security operatives engaged the unknown gunmen at their camps both at the Umudi and Umuaku areas in the local government which led to the killing of two of the unknown gunmen.

“Sequel to additional intelligence gathered in the aftermath of recent raid operations against the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) conducted in Ihechiowa community of Arochukwu Local Government in Abia State, troops in collaboration with other security agencies, have intensified their operations by raiding and clearing IPOB/ESN camps in the Umudi Forest and Umuaku areas of Umunneochi Local Government Area today.

The operations commenced with an offensive on the first terrorists’ camp, where troops encountered resistance and in the firefight, troops neutralized two terrorists, while others took to their heels having been overwhelmed by superior firepower.

The terrorists’ camp was subsequently destroyed. Further operations led to the destruction of a shrine and another camp, with several items recovered from the sites.

Items recovered include: 15 Pump-action cartridges, Three Baofeng radios, Two daggers, Five strike face plates, 16 phones, Five solar panel chargers, Four power banks, A pair of desert boots, Two Nigeria Police black belts, One camp gas, A sum of two thousand Naira (₦2,000), One ATM card, Two voter’s cards, One national ID card, One NURTW card, Four wristwatches, A pair of knee guards, Six bags, Five phone batteries, One torchlight, A nylon bag containing Cannabis Sativa, One umbrella, Five rings, One ornamental neck chain, Three wristbands, One IPOB beret and A container of drugs.

This operation marks a significant step in the ongoing effort to dismantle the operational capabilities of IPOB/ESN in the region. The security forces remain committed to restoring peace and order in Abia State and ensuring the safety of residents”, the military statement ends in quote.

In another report, Nigerian Army said: “In a clearance operation conducted in the early hours of Wednesday 12 June 2024, troops of the Nigerian Army in conjunction with a Task Force Tactical Patrol Squad conducted a raid on a training camp of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) located in Ihechiowa community of Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State.

One AK-47 rifle with a magazine containing 79 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition

During the operation, troops successfully infiltrate and dismantled the camp, destroying all training apparatus and facilities found on-site.

The raid marks a critical move in the ongoing efforts to curb acts of terrorism by IPOB and ESN, which have been linked to various security challenges and violence unleashed on innocent citizens as well as security operatives in the state.

In addition to the destruction of the training camp, the troops also targeted buildings used as hideouts for key ESN Commanders. The operation was executed with precision and yielded significant intelligence.

The raid operation was sequel to heightening terrorists’ activities of IPOB/ESN, targeting law-abiding citizens and government agencies in Abia State and other parts of Southeastern Nigeria.

Further updates on the operation will be communicated as the troops continue with the operations.

In a separate operation, troops of the Nigerian Army in conjunction with other security agencies have successfully cleared bandits and criminals’ hideouts around Irele, Igbobini and Segbemi Kiribo in the general area of Ese – Odo forest in Irele Local Government Area of Ondo state.

During the clearance operations, the troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 rifle magazine, 5 locally fabricated single barrel guns, and one locally made pistol. Other items recovered from the bandits include 18 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition and 24 live Cartridges”.

Earlier on Wednesday, the military said “In a strategic move to combat the menace of kidnapping and criminal activities in Taraba State, troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) executed a decisive clearance operation on Tuesday, 11 June 2024. The operation resulted in the successful destruction of multiple kidnappers’ camps and recovery of valuable items in Chinkai Forest of Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Acting on actionable intelligence reports detailing the continuous criminal activities by terrorist groups sheltering in the Chinkai Forest, troops of 93 Battalion Sub-Sector 3B OPWS launched the clearance operation.

The troops meticulously combed through the dense forest areas notorious for harboring kidnappers’ camps, prompting the terrorists to flee upon sighting the advancing troops. The operation led to the destruction of several makeshift structures linked to wanted kidnapping kingpins such as Isah, Shagari, Dogo, and Teller.

During the operation, the troops recovered valuable items from the dismantled camps, including 12 mobile phones, 3 international passports, and various mystical charms utilized by the criminals.

This successful clearance operation demonstrates the unwavering commitment of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 OPWS to confront insecurity headlong in Taraba State.

The public is therefore urged to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by promptly reporting any suspicious activities within their communities.

The Nigerian Army continues to prioritize the safety and security of all citizens, and operations such as this to reaffirm our dedication towards eradicating criminal elements that threaten the peace and stability of Taraba State and environs”.

Osazuwa Akonedo

Osazuwa Akonedo is a Nigerian media professional, author, and consultant. His work spans various sectors of communication and literature: Journalism and Media: He is the founder of OsazuwaAkonedo, which focuses on news analysis and commentary. He also provides consultancy services in media and banking. Literature: He is a published playwright and author of Nigerian literature. One of his notable works is the drama titled The End Shall Tell: What Exam Malpractice Can Cause, which addresses educational and social issues in Nigeria. Reporting: He frequently reports on regional news, particularly concerning Edo State and broader Nigerian current affairs. Credit: Google Gemini AI Mode Osazuwa Akonedo is a Nigerian media creator, journalist, and entrepreneur who engages audiences via news reporting, social media content, music, and a mobile application. Professional Background and Company Osazuwa Akonedo is associated with OSAZUWAAKONEDO LIMITED, a company registered in Nigeria that operates in media consultancy and news services  The company is headquartered in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, and has been active in publishing news in various formats including text, audio, video, and photos  Social Media and Online Platforms Osazuwa Akonedo maintains a strong online presence on several platforms: TikTok: Shares news updates and reports, for example, covering police operations in Nigeria  YouTube: Operates a channel where he uploads videos on current affairs and news content  Twitter/X: Active under the handle @akonedo_osazuwa, posting updates on events and news  Facebook: Profiles listing his connection to news and media activities can be found on Facebook  Mobile App: Offers a dedicated mobile application for news access through Google Play (Osazuwa Akonedo News App) providing text, video, and photo news formats  News Reporting and Content He produces news content covering national and local stories, including criminal activities, government updates, and investigative reports   His reporting spans multiple formats, making it accessible to a wide audience through online platforms, mobile apps, and social media  Other Contributions In addition to journalism, Osazuwa Akonedo has also ventured into audio releases, such as “Former Justice Minister Abubakar Malami Begs Nigerians For Justice” released on January 25, 2026   He also hosts podcasts documenting significant events, e.g, NDLEA arrests related to historical criminal cases  Summary Osazuwa Akonedo is a multifaceted media professional engaged in journalism, social media content creation, music, and technology via his news app. He utilizes platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Twitter/X, Facebook, and mobile applications to disseminate news and reach audiences both locally and internationally Credit: Azure AI

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