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Sustained military operations in the South-East have forced some members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), to begin surrendering their weapons, according to military authorities.
A military operational report released yesterday stated that sustained logistics strangulation and offensive operations by Operation UDO KA (OPUK) in the Ohaji-Egbema and Orsumoghu general areas compelled some fighters to capitulate and surrender their arms.
According to the report, the development led to the recovery of three rifles, six magazines, 99 rounds of ammunition, four locally made firearms and one improvised explosive device (IED).
The military also disclosed that a militant leader identified as “Comedy” voluntarily revealed to the Imo State Amnesty Committee the location where his weapons had been buried after coming under sustained operational pressure from troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade.
A recovery team led by the committee subsequently exhumed the hidden cache and handed it over to the brigade.
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Items recovered from the location included one AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 magazines, 54 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and four locally made guns. The report noted that military authorities believe the development could encourage other members of militant groups operating in the region to voluntarily surrender their illegal weapons.
It added that intelligence reports indicated some other IPOB/ESN members were already seeking safe channels through which to surrender their arms, even as troops continued to sustain operational pressure and monitor their movements.
In a related development, troops of Sector 5, Operation UDO KA, conducted a follow-up operation after a viral video released by the Anambra Vigilante Group showed the recovery of two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs).
The operation resulted in the recovery of the two GPMGs, 45 rounds of 7.62mm x 51 ammunition and one improvised explosive device.
According to the military report, all recovered weapons, ammunition and explosives have been taken into military custody for further investigation and necessary action, while ongoing operations continue across the South-East as security forces intensify efforts to dismantle armed criminal networks and restore lasting peace in the region.
