ARMY CLEARS BANDIT HIDEOUTS IN ONDO, RECOVERS ARMS, AMMUNITION

Raids IPOB/ESN Training Camp in Abia

The Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security agencies, has successfully cleared out bandit and criminal hideouts in forests across two local government areas in Ondo State.

A press statement posted on its X handle, @HQNigerianArmy, revealed that the operations took place in forests around Irele Local Government Area and Igbobini and Segbemi Kiribo in Ese-Odo Local Government Area.

The military stated, “During the clearance operations, the troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 rifle magazine, five 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.”

In a separate operation, the Nigerian Army disclosed that it 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 in Abia State.

It added that the operation, carried out yesterday in conjunction with a Task Force Tactical Patrol Squad, saw troops successfully infiltrate and dismantle the camp, destroying all training apparatus and facilities found on-site.

The Nigerian Military said “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,” the military noted.

“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 followed the heightened terrorist activities of IPOB/ESN, targeting law-abiding citizens and government agencies in Abia State and other parts of Southeastern Nigeria.”