The Nigerian Army has declared the demolition of the alleged ‘Supreme Headquarters’ of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), situated at Mother Valley in Anambra State.
In a statement issued by the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the operation was conducted as part of the combined security clearance efforts led by Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA (OPUK).
Scores of IPOB/ESN members were reported killed during the operation, which commenced on February 11, 2024, with a substantial cache of weapons, ammunition, bombs, and other items recovered.
The headquarters, nestled in the dense forests spanning Orsu and Ihiala LGAs of Imo and Anambra States respectively, served as the primary stronghold for IPOB/ESN and functioned as their command and control center and military council headquarters.
The operation encountered resistance from the militants, resulting in the detonation and recovery of numerous command Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and various obstacles.
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Despite facing enemy fire, the troops neutralized several terrorists while others fled with gunshot wounds.
The recovered items from the Mother Valley included a variety of weapons, equipment, communication devices, and paraphernalia associated with IPOB/ESN activities.
Additionally, approximately 50 tents housing the headquarters, command and control center, offices, logistics base, and shrines were destroyed by the joint troops.
Major General Hassan Taiwo Dada, the Force Commander Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, expressed gratitude for the collaboration among sister Services and other security agencies, emphasizing the importance of community efforts to prevent the return of criminal elements to liberated areas.
The statement concluded with an appeal to law-abiding citizens to provide timely and actionable information to OPUK through its Emergency Line 193, emphasizing the collective goal of fostering peace and socio-economic development in the South-East geopolitical zone.
