Nigerian Troops have raided the Supreme Headquarters of the Proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB situated in the Mother Valley area of Imo State.
In an issued statement on Thursday, Troops of the South-East Joint Task Force (OP UDOKA) neutralised several members of the group while other fled into the deeper parts of the Forest with various degrees of injuries.
The statement read in part: “In continuation of the sustained operations, the JTF OPUK troops has on 7 March 2024 cleared and destroyed the notorious Supreme Headquarters of the terrorists Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate Eastern Security Network (ESN).
“The headquarters that serves as the last IPOB/ESN stronghold is located in the Mother Valley, and spans Orsu and Ihiala LGAs, of Imo and Anambra States respectively, which is about 5,000 feet below sea level. The well-concealed and forested location affords the terrorists good cover from air surveillance. It also serves as their command and control centre and military council headquarters.
“During the raid operations, the gallant troops encountered, detonated and recovered many command Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and various types of obstacles which were cleared by the determined troops. The troops also came in contact with the terrorists but were subdued with superior fire power with many neutralized while others with varying degrees of gunshot wounds fled into the bush.
“The joint troops also destroyed about 50 tents in the Valley housing the Supreme Headquarters, IPOB/ESN command and control centre, Buteuzor’s hideout and residence, offices, their logistics base, temples and shrines used for occultic practices, among many other items”.
“The Force Commander Joint Task Force South-East ‘Operation UDO KA’, Major-General Hassan Taiwo Dada wishes to appreciate the incredible cooperation of sister Services and other security agencies for the success achieved so far”.
“The Force Commander also enjoins the leaders of all liberated communities to return to their ancestral homes, emplace community efforts to ensure that all criminal elements not from the communities are not allowed to return to desecrate their homelands. The JTF OPUK will continue to provide all security support to such communities within the ambit of the law”.
“Furthermore all law abiding Ndigbo are enjoined to provide timely and actionable information through OPUK Emergency Line 193 then press Option 2 to help make the South East geo-political zone a peaceful and conducive environment for socio-economic development to thrive”.
