Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade operating under Operation UDO KA have uncovered and exhumed the remains of a community leader, Chief Ibe Anyadu, from a shallow grave in Imo State following intelligence obtained from a suspected criminal.
The Nigerian Army said the operation was carried out under the ongoing Operation EASTERN SANITY II and followed the recent arrest of suspects allegedly linked to violent crimes in the South-East, including the killing of a Nigerian Army soldier and the theft of service weapons.
According to the Army, one of the arrested suspects confessed during interrogation to participating in the murder of Chief Anyadu of Aggah Community and subsequently led troops to the burial site.
On August 2, 2026, the suspect reportedly guided soldiers to a shallow grave located in Umudike Forest, identified as one of the criminal group’s camps, where the remains of the late community leader were recovered.
Members of the deceased’s family witnessed the exhumation, vigilante personnel from Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, and representatives of the Aggah and Umudike communities.
The Army said the family provided a coffin and ambulance to facilitate the dignified burial of Chief Anyadu in accordance with local customs and traditions.
Commander of Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA, Major General Oluremi Ayobami Fadairo, expressed condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased.
He assured the family and residents of Aggah Community that those responsible for the killing would be prosecuted in accordance with Nigerian law.
The Army reiterated its commitment to ongoing peace-building efforts in the South-East, stating that Operation UDO KA would continue targeting criminal networks, ensuring perpetrators of violent crimes are brought to justice, and helping victims’ families achieve closure through lawful means.
It also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations.
The statement was signed by Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army.
