By Ologeh Joseph Chibu
The Joint Task Force, South-East, operating under the codename Operation Udo Ka II,said it has recovered corpses, Biafra flags and currencies after a night raid in the Imo State hideout of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB.
The Task Force said it successfully eliminated the threat posed by four notorious camps associated with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Imo State.
Troops said two members of the IPOB/ESN were killed while four others were apprehended four individuals connected to the groups.
The Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, representing the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army within the Joint Task Force Operation Udo Ka II, conveyed this information through an official statement released in Enugu on Monday. He said evidence of cannibalism were also sighted in the IPOB camps.
Unuakhalu specified that the camps were situated in three different communities – Ihube, Aku, and Umulolo – all within the Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State.
The incidence took place at the weekend.
The troops also encountered substantial quantity of Improvised Explosive Devices strategically placed along the route to the camps.
He said due to the superior firepower of the military forces, the separatist group members were forced to flee into the dense forests, sustaining gunshot wounds in the process.
“It was discovered that the camps were being used to perpetuate atrocities such as cannibalism, occultic practices and ritual killings to instill fears in law-abiding citizens.
“These were evident from many fresh and old corpses discovered while clearing the entire camps.
“Also, the houses of the two spiritual leaders and herbalists that took to their heels were destroyed.
“Furthermore, the shrine of the wanted terrorist, Amobi Chinoso Okafor, alias Temple, where human sacrifices are being made was destroyed,” he stated
Unuakhalu reported that the troops made several significant recoveries from the cleared camps, which encompassed various denominations of the Biafra currency, a brand-new powerful motorcycle, four additional motorcycles, and solar panels.
He said the troops found additional items, such as bags of POP cement and a petroleum tanker. The tanker was suspected to have been unlawfully taken from diligent Igbo entrepreneurs striving to earn an honest living.
“Operation UDO Ka II will continue combating crimes in accordance with the extant rules and regulations guiding its operations.
“All law-abiding and good citizens of the South-East are enjoined to act against these devilish terrorists by providing timely, credible and reliable information which will lead to ending the menace of insecurity occasioned by activities of the terrorist group in the region.
“Do not be a victim of this sacrilegious. These criminals are desecrating Igboland,” the military spokesman expressed.
