From CHARLES ONYEKWERE
Troops of the Joint Task Force, JTF, code-named ‘Operation Udo Ka’ have neutralised 13 armed members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and nabbed three kidnappers in the South-East.
Spokesman of the joint task force, Lieutenant-Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu, said in a statement yesterday in Enugu, that the feat was in furtherance of its clearance operations to make the South-East safe and peaceful throughout the yuletide.
Unuakhalu said the commander of Operation Udo Ka, Major-General Hassan Dada called on all well-meaning citizens to continue to support the joint task force.
He said citizens of the South-East could do this by providing timely, reliable and credible information in order to make the zone peaceful throughout the yuletide and beyond.
“Remember, security is everybody’s business. It is not in the hands of security agencies alone.
“When you see something, say something, call Operation Udo Ka’s toll free line –193 – and press Option 2 to speak directly to Headquarters, Operation Udo Ka,” he said.
On operational details, Unuakhalu said troops of Sector 1, Operation UDO KA on December 21, conducted an ambush operation along Amouka-Umouka Road in 9th Mile, Udi Local Government Area to deny kidnappers freedom of action.
According to him, during the operation, troops came in contact with the kidnappers and in the ensuing firefight, troops neutralised one, while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
“Items recovered at the scene were one AK-47 rifle, two magazines and 17 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition; two cell-phones; one power-bank; three ATM cards; one wristwatch, bunch of keys and N8,900,” he said.
The spokesman noted that on December 16, troops of Sector 5 conducted a clearance operation within Mbosi and Isseke general area in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
He noted that during the operation, they came in contact with the irredentists, neutralising three members of the group while others fled into surrounding bushes.
He said “items recovered include one AK-47 rifle, two loaded AK-47 magazines 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 roads within Ihiala–Orlu, Lilu, Agba Lilu and Orsumoghu general area in Anambra State.”
The spokesman said similarly, on December 15, troops deployed at Ekeututu Market in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State came under attack by pockets of irredentists.
Unuakhalu noted that on December 14, 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.
He added that on receiving the information about the movement of the suspected kidnappers, troops quickly mounted a snap checkpoint in order to apprehend the suspects.
In the same vein, on December 11, he noted that troops in continuation of their clearance operation in conjunction with sister services and paramilitary agencies cleared Ezioha general area in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
According to him, troops in conjunction with the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies on arrival at Umuaka community came in contact with IPOB/ESN terrorists group.
