The Nigerian Army has launched a massive offensive against the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), dismantling eight operational camps within the Ajali Forest of Enugu State.
The ongoing clearance operation, which began on December 30, 2025, targets a strategic hideout in the Ezeagu Local Government Area that has long served as a corridor for criminal activities and insurgent attacks.
Major Muhammad Buhari Abdulrahman, Commanding Officer of the 103 Battalion, briefed reporters on the progress of the mission. He stated that the military acted on credible intelligence regarding terrorist activities and the presence of high-grade weaponry within the dense forest.
“So far, eight camps have been cleared, with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) safely detonated,” Major Abdulrahman disclosed. “Troops also recovered arms and ammunition, including 197 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and arrested two suspected IPOB members who are currently in detention.”
The Commander emphasised that the military is no longer just “clearing” the area but is now actively reshaping the landscape to prevent the insurgents from returning.
“The operation has entered the clearing phase, with bulldozers deployed to open up the forest and deny criminals any hiding place, while securing the space for farming activities,” he added.
The surge in military presence follows growing concerns from residents. According to the Chairman of Ezeagu Local Government Area, Vita Ndoh, the forest had become a “no-go zone” where ESN members occupied vast tracts of land, sparking widespread panic.
The Chairman noted that the joint task force comprising the military, police, and the Department of State Services (DSS) successfully neutralised the threat ahead of the New Year.
“The operations ensured a peaceful festive period, with no cases of kidnapping or criminal attacks during the period,” Ndoh stated. He further commended the military for its professionalism and urged the community to remain vigilant. “We must report all suspicious activities to security agencies to ensure this peace is maintained.”
While the initial camps have been neutralised, the Nigerian Army maintains that the operation is far from over. Troops remain stationed in the Ajali Forest to oversee the “opening up” of the terrain, a move intended to convert the former terrorist enclave into productive agricultural land for the local population.
