Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation UDO KA have reopened a major road that had been closed for over three years and destroyed a suspected bomb-making factory during ongoing security operations in Imo State.
Securitynewsalert.com heard that the operations, conducted under Operation Eastern Sanity, are part of intensified efforts to dismantle criminal hideouts and restore normalcy to communities affected by the violent activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, said troops carried out aggressive joint clearance operations in the Orsu–Eketutu Mother Valley and Orsu–Ihiteukwa areas to remove improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by criminal elements.
According to him, one of the operations took place on March 6 when troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, working with personnel of the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, cleared the Lilu–Eketutu Road.
“The road, which serves as a strategic route and lifeline for surrounding communities, had been abandoned for over three years due to persistent threats and attacks by IPOB/ESN militants,” Ayeni said.
He disclosed that troops discovered several IEDs planted along the route during the operation.
“The IEDs were successfully disconnected and safely recovered by Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists, preventing potential casualties and restoring access to the route,” he added.
In a related development, troops on March 11 conducted another clearance operation in the Orsu–Ihiteukwa general area, where suspected IED locations along key routes were neutralised to improve security and enable displaced residents to return home.
Ayeni explained that during the advance, several explosives detonated along the troops’ route.
“Despite the explosions, troops maintained operational momentum and discovered an IPOB/ESN IED-making factory within the area,” he said.
Items recovered from the facility included Biafran flags and insignia, several rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, pipes used for priming IEDs, pistol magazines containing ammunition, double-barrel guns, CCTV cameras, and electrical wires suspected to have been used in the fabrication of explosive devices.
He added that additional explosives hidden within the area were carefully disconnected, recovered and destroyed by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams.
Ayeni reiterated that the Nigerian Army remains committed to sustaining pressure on criminal networks threatening peace in the South-East.
“The Nigerian Army reaffirms its commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal networks threatening peace and security across Imo State and the South-East region,” he said.
He also urged members of the public to support security agencies with credible information.
“Community cooperation is vital to dismantling criminal syndicates and restoring lasting peace. Operation UDO KA remains committed to protecting law-abiding citizens and securing lives and property,” he added.
