Troops uncover suspected IPOB/ESN arms cache in Enugu

By Kingsley Omonobi

Troops of the 82 Division Garrison operating under Sector 1 of Operation Udoka, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), Enugu State Command, have uncovered a suspected arms hideout and recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition in Enugu State.

The operation was carried out as part of Operation Eastern Sanity II, a security initiative aimed at consolidating peace and stability in the South-East.

Disclosing the development on Wednesday, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, said the operation followed credible intelligence obtained from previously arrested suspects linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

According to him, on June 9, 2026, security operatives conducted a targeted follow-up operation in Gariki, Enugu South Local Government Area, where they uncovered a concealed arms cache.

Ayeni said the hideout was located inside a zinc structure disguised as a piggery.

“A thorough exploitation of the site led to the recovery of a substantial cache of weapons and ammunition,” he stated.

Items recovered include general-purpose machine guns, an RPG-7 launcher tube, AK-47 rifles, hand grenades, a tear gas gun with cartridges, AK-47 magazines, 270 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and 478 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.

He added that suspects arrested during the operation, along with the recovered items, had been handed over to the DSS Enugu State Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Ayeni described the operation as a demonstration of effective inter-agency collaboration and proactive efforts to address security threats in the region.

He said the operation reflects the commitment of Operation Udoka to sustaining pressure on criminal networks and other groups engaged in activities that threaten peace and public safety in the South-East.

The Army spokesman also urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to enhance ongoing efforts aimed at ensuring lasting peace and security in the region.

The post Troops uncover suspected IPOB/ESN arms cache in Enugu appeared first on Vanguard News.