Troops of Joint Task Force South East Operation Udo Ka II have arrested Indengenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Easter Security Network (ESN) fighters in Orsu Local Government Area and Okigwe-Umulolo in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State.
A statement issued Friday by Lt-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, said as a follow up to apprehend the IPOB/ESN terrorists that are on the run from its last clearance operation has on Thursday, 5 October 2023, the troops conducted another clearance operation along Ihioma – Ihittenansa in Orsu Local Government Area and Okigwe – Umulolo in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State respectively.
He said the clearance operations were aimed at identifying and destroying possible camps of the fleeing IPOB/ESN terrorists killing and maiming as well as extorting innocent citizens of the South East region in the name of agitation.
Unuakhalu noted that during the simultaneous clearance operations, at Umulolo, one of the troops’ vehicle was hit by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), however, no causality was recorded.
He added that troops also came in contact with the terrorists who fled into the nearby bushes with gunshot wounds due to superior fire power.
Unuakhalu stressed: “Two suspects were arrested and items recovered at Umulolo include; two locally made guns, ammunition, one PKT machine gun barrel, one big locally made Rocket Propelled Launcher (Ogbunigwe) and IED making materials.”
He said other items recovered included: three CCTV cameras, two Laptops and a charger, eight mobile phones, three boots, camouflage shorts, two motorcycles and a beret.
He added that three shrines used by the terrorists for fortification were destroyed.
Unuakhalu noted: “On the clearance operations/fighting patrols along Road Ihioma – Ihittenansa In Orsu LGA. Despite the troops’ encountering of IEDs, troops made contact and engaged some IPOB/ESN terrorists around Eketutu Market who fled into the adjourning forests of Lilu and Mother Valleys with gunshot wounds on motorcycles.”
He added that troops also recovered two CCTV cameras carefully concealed at the highest point in the area and some IED making materials.
He said troops successfully cleared the terrorists from the Eketutu market.