Troops of the 82 Division Garrison operating under Sector 1 of Operation UDO KA, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have uncovered an alleged arms cache linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Enugu State.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 82 Division, the operation was carried out on June 9, 2026, as part of the ongoing Operation EASTERN SANITY II.
The Army said the operation followed credible intelligence obtained from previously arrested suspects allegedly affiliated with IPOB and ESN. Acting on the information, security personnel conducted a follow-up raid in Gariki, Enugu South Local Government Area of the state.
During the operation, troops reportedly discovered a concealed arms hideout inside a zinc structure disguised as a piggery. A subsequent search of the location led to the recovery of a cache of weapons and ammunition.
Items recovered, according to the statement, included General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), an RPG-7 launcher tube, AK-47 rifles, hand grenades, a tear gas gun with cartridges, AK-47 magazines, 270 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, and 478 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.
The military said all recovered weapons and suspects arrested in connection with the operation have been handed over to the DSS Enugu State Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Army described the operation as a major success and attributed it to effective intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration.
“This intelligence-driven operation underscores the effective interagency collaboration in the region, resulting in proactive measures to counter threats to national unity and public safety,” the statement said.
The military added that Operation UDO KA remains committed to sustaining operations against criminal and terrorist networks operating in the South-East and urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
The statement reaffirmed the operation’s commitment to protecting lives, maintaining peace and security, and preserving Nigeria’s sovereignty. #Securitynewsalert.com
