In its bid to making South East region safe and peaceful throughout the yuletide, troops of Sector 1 of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA on Saturday 21 December 2024 conducted an ambush operation along Amouka – Umuoka Road in 9th Mile, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State to deny kidnappers freedom of action. During the operation, troops battled kidnappers and in the ensuing firefight, the troops neutralized one while others escaped with gunshot wounds. Items recovered at the scene were, One AK 47 rifle, Two magazines and Seventeen rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition. Others are, Two mobile phones, One power-bank, Three ATM Cards, One Wristwatch, bunch of keys and the sum of Eight Thousand Nine Hundred Naira only.
Similarly, on 16 December 2024 troops of Sector 5 conducted a clearance operation within Mbosi and Isseke general area in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. During the operation, troops came in contact with the irredentist neutralizing three members of the group while others fled into the surrounding bushes. Items recovered include, One AK 47 rifle, Two loaded AK 47 magazine and Three Dane Guns while a house belonging to one of the irredentist commanders and a shrine used for their fortification were destroyed. The gallant troops had earlier recovered Five Water Gel Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and Two batteries used for detonating the IEDs while on routine patrol along Road Ihiala – Orlu, Lilu, Agba Lilu and Orsumoghu gen area all in Anambra State.
Similarly, on Sunday 15 December 2024, troops of the Joint Task Force deployed at Ekeututu in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State were attacked. However, the gallant and vigilant troops repelled the attack with superior fire power forcing gunmen to withdraw in disarray. During exploitation One AK 47 Rifle was recovered.
While on Saturday 14 December 2024 troops acting on credible and reliable information from members of the public arrested three suspected kidnappers at Itungwa in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State. The suspects operating in a stolen tricycle on sighting the troops attempted to make a U- turn but were apprehended. Items recovered include, One AK 47 Rifle, One G3 rifle, One locally made single barrel pistol, Ten rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, Thirty four rounds of 5.5mm ammunition, Two AK 47 Rifle magazine, Two G3 rifle magazine, One live cartridge, One mobile phone, the sum of Six Thousand Six Hundred Naira and Two Knapsack Bags use for concealing the weapons.
Troops in conjunction with the Air force and other security agencies including the DSS on arrival at Umuaka community the IPOB/ESN group. During the firefight troops neutralized nine of the irredentist while others flee into the nearby bushes with gunshot wounds. Items recovered are, military and customs uniforms, Biafra currencies, One CCTV Camera and Charms. Four command Improvised Explosive Devices were detonated and the phones used in detonating the IEDs were recovered.
The Force Commander Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA Major General Hassan Dada calls on all well-meaning citizens to continue supporting the Joint Task Force by providing timely, reliable and credible information in order to make the South East region peaceful throughout the yuletide period and beyond.
