JTF reclaims Imo LGA from IPOB terrorists, urges indigenes to return home

By Victor Nwachukwu/Orsu (Imo)

Life is gradually returning to once deserted Orsu Local Government Area of Imo States after the security operatives cleared out the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB terrorists that had occupied the communities in the area.

This was revealed when the military took journalists on a tour of the recovered communities in Orsu on Tuesday.

Speaking during the visit, the Garrison Commander, 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Obinze, Owerri, Lt.-Col. Jude Abuo urged indigenes of the area to return home.

Abuo who is also the commander the Joint Task Force (JTF) South East Operation UDO KA said Orsu LGA was cleared of elements of IPOB and its armed wing.

He said that the JTF, comprisingHe added that the LGA was being cleared of elements of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing.

He said the JTF made up of officers of the Nigerian Army, Air Force, Deep Blue, Police and NSCDC had carried out the operation since Feb. 2, with support from the community vigilante.

He said that the operation was in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s command philosophy to advance the transformation of the Nigerian Army into an adaptable, professional, combat ready and resilient force capable of decisively discharging its constitutional roles within a joint operation and a multi operational environment.

“We have been able to push them out of this place, gain more grounds and detonate Improvised Explosive Devices which they used as force multipliers.

“We have captured the mother valley as you can see, and we have not lost any man on this operation.

“We can assure you that this local government will be free from the IPOB in days to come and we call on indigenes to return to their homes without fear,” he said.

He further said that the purpose of the media tour was to debunk allegations that images previously released from the operation were manipulated or falsely presented as originating from Oyo and Lagos.

He described the images as “authentic and taken from the ongoing operations”.

Speaking, the President-General of Orsu Ihietukwa clan, Chief Chika Obuladike, thanked the Nigerian military for their intervention and urged them to extend the operation to other volatile areas.

Also, the Youth Leader of Orsu Ihietukwa, Mr Ezeani Ikedinekpere, pledged continued collaboration with the military to ensure their operational success.

(NAN)