Troops dismantle IPOB/ESN camps in Anambra, kill 3

In a significant operation against suspected militants, troops of the Nigerian Army's 15 Brigade have dismantled three camps belonging to the Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) in Anambra State. The operation, conducted under the Joint Task Force South East, Operation Udoka, also resulted in the recovery of arms, explosives, and other essential logistics.

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The intelligence-led operation was conducted in the early hours of Saturday, 15 August 2026, following credible information on the activities of suspected IPOB/ESN elements operating from camps located at Osuakwa, along the boundary between Ihiala and Ogbaru Local Government Areas of the state.

The intelligence-led operation took place early Saturday, August 15, 2026, following credible information about IPOB/ESN activities from camps located in Osuakwa, along the border of Ihiala and Ogbaru Local Government Areas. Troops, in conjunction with personnel from the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Agunechemba Vigilante Group, executed a dawn raid on the identified locations.

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Three suspected IPOB/ESN members were neutralised, while all three camps were successfully overrun and destroyed to prevent their future use as operational bases.

During the raid, the joint forces encountered hostile fire from the militants but responded decisively, overwhelming them after a fierce firefight. Three suspected IPOB/ESN members were neutralized, and all three camps were successfully overrun and destroyed to prevent their future use. The recovered cache included an FN rifle with ammunition, a pump-action shotgun with cartridges, dynamite sticks, and motorcycles, among other items supporting the group's activities.

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The Commander, 15 Brigade Nigerian Army, has commended the troops, personnel of the DSS and members of the Agunechemba Vigilante Group for their courage, discipline and outstanding inter-agency cooperation.

Further exploitation of the area led to the arrest of one suspected IPOB/ESN member, identified as Mr. Chijioke, along with two suspected accomplices and six children found in their company. The Commander of the 15 Brigade Nigerian Army commended the troops and collaborating agencies for their courage and inter-agency cooperation, describing the operation as a major setback for criminal elements in the South East. The Brigade pledged to continue aggressive, intelligence-led operations to ensure the safety and security of residents.

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The Nigerian Army reassures the public that the newly established 15 Brigade will continue to sustain aggressive intelligence-led operations in collaboration with sister security agencies and critical local stakeholders to locate, disrupt and dismantle terrorist and criminal networks.