Troops uncover suspected IPOB/ESN safe house in Enugu; NAF air strike kills scores of terrorists in Lake Chad Basin
Troops of Operation UDO KA have uncovered a suspected safe house belonging to members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Enugu State.
This is contained in an operational report on Thursday in Abuja.
The army said the operation was carried out by troops of 82 Division Garrison and Sector 1 of Operation UDO KA in conjunction with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), Enugu State Command.
According to the report, the operation followed intelligence obtained from suspects arrested during earlier operations aimed at degrading the operational capability of IPOB/ESN elements in the region.
It stated that troops successfully traced the suspected safe house located in Agbani, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The army said a search of the apartment led to the recovery of eight AK-47 rifles and 12 AK-47 magazines.
Other items recovered are one tear gas gun, two tear gas cartridges and 323 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
It further stated that troops recovered 10 pairs of uniforms allegedly belonging to IPOB members.
According to the report, all recovered items were handed over to the DSS Enugu State Command for further investigation and necessary action.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says its precision air strikes have neutralised scores of terrorists at Metele in the Northern Tumbuns area of the Lake Chad Basin.
This is contained in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.
Ejodame said that the operation was conducted in the early hours of Wednesday.
He also said that the operation was launched after credible intelligence and subsequent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions confirmed the presence of a senior terrorist commander, terrorist hideouts, and heightened terrorist activity within the area.
According to him, acting on the intelligence, NAF air assets engaged the identified targets with precision.
“Upon arrival, aircrew observed significant terrorists movement around the concealed structures, confirming the presence of hostile elements.
“Following positive target identification, the aircraft executed devastating strikes on the designated locations.
“Post-strike Battle Damage Assessment confirmed the destruction of the terrorists enclave and the neutralisation of scores of terrorists.”
Reacting to the successful operation, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, commended the personnel involved, and reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to sustaining relentless pressure on terrorist elements.
“We will continue to leverage our air power capabilities to locate, strike, and destroy terrorists targets wherever they are found.
“The Nigerian Air Force remains resolute in denying terrorists freedom of action and ensuring they have no safe haven within our sovereign territory,” the CAS said.
