Troops of the Nigerian military have continued raids on the hideouts and the training camps of outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) terrorists and its Eastern Security Network affiliate.
The operation is not unconnected with the killing of five soldiers in the South East zone of the country while enforcing sit-at-home in May ending.
Addressing newsmen at Defence Headquarters, Abuja on Thursday, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, disclosed that no fewer than 25 suspects of the proscribed organisation have been arrested.
Buba, a Major-General, explained that the troops attached to “Operation Udo Ka” cleared and destroyed several camps of the terrorists while also killing 13 of them who had been terrorising the zone from their hideouts.
“Additionally, troops arrested violent extremists/IPOB/ESN members in Isiala Mbano and Ohaji/Egbema LGAs of Imo State. Furthermore, troops rescued kidnapped hostages in Anambra-West Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“Troops also conducted counter/anti kidnapping operations in Anambra East LGA of Anambra State. Overall, troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised 13 terrorists, arrested 25 violent extremists and rescued 15 kidnapped hostages and recovered one AK47 rifle and four dane guns, among others.
“All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action,” the senior military officer told journalists at the briefing.
Buba called on all citizens to support the military in its efforts to rid the country of terrorists and other criminal elements, adding that the Armed Forces of Nigeria understand that the terrorists exist for the sake of war, and therefore for the sake of peace, they must be eliminated.
He added, “Our war effort is, therefore, designed and crafted to defeat and destroy the terrorist as well as dismantle their terror infrastructure across the country.
“Momentum is crucial to our operations and it is the reason we take the fight to the enemy and allow them no respite. Accordingly, our operations are focussed on our war efforts, our mobilization and air strikes to destroy the terrorists.”