Troops Seize Arms from IPOB Camp in Anambra,Raid Illegal Refinery in Imo

In a recent operation, the collaborative efforts of the 302 Artillery and 14 Field Engineer Regiments of the Nigerian Army have yielded significant results as they recovered arms from a camp allegedly belonging to the banned Indigenous People of Biafra and its affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN). This operation took place in Anambra State and was carried out on October 16, 2023.

The Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, released an official statement on Tuesday, providing insight into the operation. The statement declared, “Combined troops of 302 Artillery and 14 Field Engineer Regiments of the Nigerian Army, conducting operations against terrorists, have on Monday, 16 October 2023, captured two locally made Artillery Projectile Launchers from fighters of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN).”

The recovery of these artillery weapons, along with various other items, resulted from a swift and well-executed operation. The dissident fighters fled in disarray as the troops approached their camp. In the course of the operation, one member of the dissident group was apprehended, and an array of items, including 48 rounds of 7.62 mm NATO ammunition, four mobile phones, a handheld communication radio, and a substance suspected to be cannabis, among other things, were seized by the troops.

In a separate operation conducted on the same day, troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade took decisive action against oil thieves in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State. This operation also yielded notable results as the troops managed to recover several items from the camp. These included a crude oil cooking oven, three reservoirs, various connecting hoses and pipes, three mobile phones, a power generating set, three pumping machines, a CCTV camera mounted on a tree, a substance suspected to be cannabis, and various fetish objects.

In a related development, the same troops conducted a similar operation on the same day, uncovering and dismantling an illegal refining site. This site was operating with several drums and crude oil ovens containing stolen crude oil. Additionally, a dug-out pit containing approximately 50,000 liters of crude oil and 57 sacks of illegally refined automotive gas oil were discovered. It is noteworthy that these sacks of illegally refined products were surreptitiously concealed in a community health center located in Egbema Shell and Egbema West, both within Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.

In response to these operations, Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja reiterated the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to maintaining peace within the country.

These operations mark significant achievements in the efforts to combat illegal activities and maintain peace and security within Nigeria.