Army dismantles IPOB/ESN camps in Anambra, recovers weapons

Nigerian troops have dismantled three suspected camps belonging to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its paramilitary wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Anambra State. The operation, conducted early Saturday, August 15, 2026, targeted areas along the boundary of Ihiala and Ogbaru Local Government Areas.

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responded decisively, overwhelming the criminals after a fierce firefight.

Operating under the Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, the troops, supported by the Department of State Services and the Agunechemba Vigilante Group, encountered hostile fire but responded decisively. The Nigerian Army reported that three suspected IPOB/ESN members were killed during a fierce firefight.

The operation yielded a significant cache of recovered items, including an FN rifle with ammunition, a pump-action shotgun with cartridges, 15 sticks of dynamite, motorcycles, batteries, and radio chargers. Three suspected militants were killed, and their camps were overrun and destroyed.

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another major setback for criminal and terrorist elements seeking to undermine peace and security in the South East.

Further exploitation of the area led to the arrest of a suspected IPOB/ESN member identified as Chijioke, along with a man and a woman believed to be accomplices. They were reportedly found with six children. The Commander of the 15 Brigade praised the inter-agency cooperation and described the operation as a major setback for elements aiming to destabilize the South East.

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denying all criminal elements freedom of action