31st March, 2024
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Operatives of the Nigerian Army have uncovered shallow graves where members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) buried Igbo people they kidnapped and killed in Imo State.
The Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA in continuation of its operations to stamp out the criminalities of IPOB/ESN from the South East Nigeria had raided and cleared the notorious Monday Oluchi Ogu Camp also known as B44 Camp in Imo State.
The Defence Headquarters in a statement on its X handle on Sunday said the raid operations which commenced on Thursday 28 March 2024 was aimed at clearing known IPOB and its armed affiliate the Eastern Security Network (ESN) Camp located at the border of Njaba River bothering Awo-Omama Community in Oru East Local Government Area and Ezoiha community in Mbaitoli LGA of Imo State.
“During the clearance operations that continued on Friday, troops came in contact with the criminals. Due to the superior fire power, the terrorists were forced to flee into the nearby bushes with various degrees of injuries and gunshot wounds.
“Troops further encountered and detonated some of the planted Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) meant to hinder troops movements,” the Army said.
“It is disheartening to discover that some innocent Ndigbos some reported kidnapped were gruesomely murdered and buried in shallow graves in the Camp without any form of dignity.
“As part of the Nigerian Army Civil Military Cooperation Relations, forensic analysis of some of the exhumed corpses will be done for a befitting burial,” it added.
The military said other items recovered include, Three IEDs, One RPG bomb, One motorcycle, Seven Baofeng handheld radios, local jewelries, a foreign ATM card, two SIM cards, two voters cards, Plate numbers of stolen vehicles and a toolbox.
“The Force Commander Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA; Maj Gen HT DADA wish to assure all citizens of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to ensure peace and stability in the region.
“The general public are enjoined to continue providing timely, reliable and credible information through its Toll free line *193* and press Option 2 to speak directly to a representative,” the army said.