Three abductors have been apprehended in the South-East by troops of Joint Task Force South-East, also known as “Operation UDO KA,” which has neutralised 13 armed members of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
Lt. Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, the task force’s spokesperson, said this in a statement released in Enugu on Monday.
According to him, the achievement aided the military’s clearance efforts to keep the Southeast secure and tranquil throughout the Yuletide season.
Maj. Gen. Hassan Dada, the Force Commander, had urged all good-willed citizens to keep supporting the joint task force, according to Unuakhalu.
South-East residents may accomplish this, he continued, by supplying timely, trustworthy, and legitimate information.
“Remember, everyone is concerned about security. “When you see something, say something by calling the JTF Operation UDO KA’s toll-free line -193 and press Option 2—to speak directly to Headquarters Operation UDO KA,” he said, adding that security agencies are not the only ones in control of it.
According to Unuakhalu, the task force’s Sector 1 troops carried out an ambush operation along Amouka-Umouka Road in the 9th Mile of the Udi Local Government Area in Enugu State on December 21 to prevent the kidnappers from moving freely.
He claimed that when troops encountered the kidnappers during the operation, they neutralised one of them during the resulting gunfight, while others managed to flee with bullet wounds.
“One AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and seventeen rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition were among the items found at the site, along with two cell phones, a power bank, three ATM cards, a wristwatch, several keys, and N8,900, he stated.
The spokesperson noted that three IPOB members were neutralised during a clearance operation carried out by Sector 5 troops on December 16 in the Mbosi and Isseke general areas of the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra. A house belonging to one of the irredentist commanders and a shrine used for their fortification were destroyed, but three Dane guns, two filled AK-47 magazines, and one AK-47 rifle were found.
During their regular patrol along the routes in the general regions of Ihiala-Orlu, Lilu, Agba Lilu, and Orsumoghu in Anambra State, the valiant troops had previously retrieved five water gel IEDs and two batteries used to detonate the IEDs.
He clarified that on December 14, troops detained three suspected kidnappers in Itungwa in the Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia after receiving trustworthy and credible information from the people.
He claimed that as soon as forces learnt of the suspected kidnappers’ whereabouts, they promptly set up a snap checkpoint to capture them.
“The suspects in a stolen tricycle tried to turn around when they saw the troops, but they were caught.”One AK-47 rifle, one G3 rifle, one locally manufactured single-barrel handgun, 10 rounds of 7.62mm and 34 rounds of 5.5mm ammunition, two AK-47 and G3 rifle magazines, and one live cartridge were among the items found.
“Other items recovered included two knapsack bags used to conceal the weapons, a mobile phone, and N6,600,” he added.
