- The military also recovered a cache of weapons
The Nigerian military has reported significant actions against the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in August.
According to Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, troops of Operation Udoka neutralized 21 suspected IPOB/ESN members and arrested 59 others.
The military also recovered a cache of weapons, including 10 assault rifles, 45 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, over 90 live cartridges, and 69 assault ammunition rounds. Additionally, 17 hostages were rescued during the operations.
Buba detailed that these operations were carried out across several states in the South-East, including Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo, and Enugu. Key encounters took place in the Ohafia and Aguata areas, as well as in Orlu Local Government Area in Imo State.
In a broader national context, Buba disclosed that over 14 terrorist leaders were eliminated in the Northeast and Northwest regions in August. Across all theatres of operations, the military reported killing 419 terrorists, arresting 767 suspects, rescuing 448 kidnap victims, and recovering 278 weapons and more than 11,000 rounds of ammunition.
Further operations under Operation Delta Safe targeted crude oil theft, leading to the arrest of 54 individuals and the seizure of over 3.7 million litres of crude oil. The troops also destroyed 94 wooden boats and 339 illegal refining sites, in addition to recovering 163 rounds of ammunition.