In a decisive move on 7th March 2024, Operation UDO KA, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police, Department of State Security Service, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, executed a comprehensive raid and clearance operation in Mother Valley, Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State. Major General Edward Buba who detailed this in a ststement revealed that the primary objective was to eradicate the presence of violent extremists/terrorists affiliated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Major General Buba said the joint forces successfully cleared approximately 50 hideout tents, including the terrorists’ Supreme Headquarters, Command and Control Center, and Military Council Headquarters. Among the locations targeted was Buteuzor’s hideout/residence, which encompassed an office, logistic base, temple, and shrine. The hideouts were strategically concealed with foliage to evade air surveillance, ensuring the criminals’ cover from monitoring and detection.
Notably, the valley provided ample power supply for the camps, where the terrorists engaged in animal husbandry and farming activities to ensure self-sustainability for their livelihoods and operations. The troops encountered various command improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and ditches strategically placed along the axis to the camp. Skillfully, all IEDs were safely detonated, and the ditches covered with the assistance of an excavator before reaching the targeted camp.
This identified location served as the supreme headquarters, command and control center, and the Military Council Headquarters of IPOB/ESN. In the course of the operation, the troops engaged in a fierce firefight with the terrorists, resulting in the neutralization of 20 extremists. The aftermath revealed a substantial cache of weapons, including G3 rifles, AK47 rifles, auto pump-action guns, double-barrel guns, locally made pistols, and RPG bombs.
Furthermore, the troops seized significant quantities of assorted ammunition, comprising 226 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 216 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 172 live cartridges, 4 AK47 magazines, and 3 G3 magazines. Additional items recovered included various IEDs (OGBUNIGWE), POS devices, Baofeng radios, mobile phones, handheld IEDs, CCTV cameras, inverters, batteries, and Biafra flags, among others.
In a proactive measure, all camps, hideouts, and shrines in the location were systematically destroyed by the troops. The discovery of shallow graves at the site pointed towards ritualistic practices and idol worship, providing a possible explanation for several cases of missing persons in the region.
The recovered items are currently undergoing thorough processing and analysis to extract valuable intelligence. Undeterred, the troops are maintaining their momentum, actively pursuing the remaining terrorists and their associates, dislodging them from their entrenched positions to ensure lasting peace and security in the region.