Troops clear 11 IEDs, reopen Imo Road abandoned for three years

By Kingsley Omonobi

Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have recorded significant operational successes across several theatres of operation, including the demobilisation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), the reopening of a long-abandoned road in Imo State, the dismantling of illegal refineries in the Niger Delta, and the neutralisation of suspected kidnappers in Edo State.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Friday in an operational update on ongoing military operations across the country.

According to him, troops of Operation Udoka in the South-East conducted a successful route clearance operation along the Eketutu–Uda axis in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State, reopening the road which had been abandoned for three years due to the activities of members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

Onoja said that during the operation on March 7, troops discovered and safely demobilised eight improvised explosive devices planted along the route by the criminal elements.

“The devices were carefully disconnected and destroyed by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, preventing potential harm to civilians and security personnel,” he said.

He added that troops returned to the area on March 8 to continue the clearance operation, during which three additional IEDs were detonated along the Eketutu Market axis.

The operation, he noted, significantly improved access and safety along the road corridor which had been deserted for years.

Troops also recovered magazines loaded with ammunition during the exercise.

In a related operation on March 11, troops operating in Egbema West Local Government Area of Imo State discovered and dismantled three illegal oil refining sites.

The operation led to the destruction and recovery of 32 cooking drums and a 5,000-litre metal storage tank used in the illicit refining activities.

The Defence spokesperson said the action dealt a significant blow to illegal refining networks undermining the nation’s economic resources and environmental safety.

Meanwhile, in the Niger Delta region, troops of Operation Delta Safe on March 10 carried out a clearance operation in collaboration with local hunters in the Egoro Forest in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

During the operation, three suspected kidnappers were neutralised.

Items recovered from the suspects included AK-47 rifle magazines, mobile phones and cutlasses believed to have been used for kidnapping and other violent crimes.

Similarly, on March 7, troops raided a suspected criminal hideout in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, arresting two suspects and recovering arms and ammunition.

The suspects are currently undergoing preliminary investigation to determine their involvement in other criminal activities.

Providing updates from the North-East theatre of operations, Onoja said 14 additional terrorists surrendered to troops, bringing the cumulative number of insurgents who have surrendered under Operation Hadin Kai to 122,843 since the establishment of Operation Safe Corridor in 2015.

He said troops also repelled several terrorist attacks and disrupted logistics networks supporting insurgent groups.

Among other operations, troops arrested suspected logistics suppliers and a terrorist tax collector in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State, while arms caches were recovered after repelling attacks in Mafa and Jere Local Government Areas of Borno State.

He added that troops, supported by close air support, successfully repelled a coordinated night attack by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Goniri, Yobe State, neutralising more than 20 terrorists, including a high-value target identified as Abu Yusu.

The military also recorded operational successes in the North-West, where troops of Operation Fansan Yamma intercepted arms concealed in commercial vehicles, repelled terrorist attacks, and arrested suspected logistics suppliers across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.

In one operation along the Abuja–Kaduna Road, troops rescued abducted victims from kidnappers operating in the Mpape-Kuyeri Forest along the border between the Federal Capital Territory and Kaduna State.

Troops also destroyed a terrorist enclave belonging to the Lakurawa group in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State and arrested suspects linked to cattle rustling in Kano State.

In the North-Central region, troops intensified anti-kidnapping and counter-terrorism operations across Kwara and Niger states under Operation Savannah Shield, rescuing several kidnapped victims and neutralising criminals.

In one incident in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, troops rescued a kidnap victim after engaging the abductors, while in another operation four terrorists were neutralised and four kidnapped victims rescued.

Similarly, troops of Operation Enduring Peace conducted operations across Plateau, Bauchi and Kaduna states, rescuing kidnapped victims and arresting criminal suspects.

In Bauchi State, troops intercepted a commercial trailer carrying 802 bags of granular ammonium sulphate, a substance known to be used in the production of explosives. Investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the shipment.

Major General Onoja said the series of successes across various theatres demonstrated the professionalism, courage and resilience of the Armed Forces.

He assured Nigerians that military operations would be intensified to dismantle the remaining criminal and terrorist networks threatening peace and national development.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, also commended the troops for their dedication and thanked the public for providing timely intelligence that has supported ongoing operations across the country.

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