The authorities of Nigerian Army have reopened Lilu–Eketutu Road between the boundaries of Anambra and Imo states, shut for three years due to activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Penpushing reports that the Nigeria troops, operating under 34 Artillery Brigade in collaboration with personnel of the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Air Force, the State Security Service, the Nigeria Police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, also destroyed bomb factory in Imo established by the outlaw group
The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant-Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, made this know in a statement on Friday pointing out that the operations, conducted in the Orsu–Eketutu Mother Valley and Orsu–Ihiteukwa general areas, were part of ongoing efforts to eliminate Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by criminals.
Penpushing further reports that Ayeni added that the operations were also meant to facilitate the safe return of residents who were forced to abandon their homes due to the activities of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Networky (ESN).
The Acting Deputy Director explained that in one of the operations, troops operating under 34 Artillery Brigade conducted a joint clearance operation along the Lilu–Eketutu Road in the Orsu–Eketutu Mother Valley area of Imo on 6 March.
“The road, which serves as a strategic route that functions as the community’s lifeline, enabling the flow of people, goods, and services for surrounding communities, had been abandoned for over three years’, he wrote.
“This is due to persistent threats and attacks by IPOB/ESN militants. During the operations, troops discovered IED planted at different areas along the road. The IEDs were successfully disconnected and safely recovered by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialists, preventing potential casualties and restoring access to the route’, Ayeni stated.
Penpushing also reports that he disclosed that in a related operation, on March 11, 2026, troops conducted clearance operation in Orsu–Ihiteukwa area; clearing suspected IED locations along key routes to enhance security and enable displaced inhabitants to return safely to their homes.
“During the operation, several IEDs were detonated along the route of advance. Despite the series of explosions, troops maintained operational momentum and discovered an IPOB/ESN IED-making factory within the area’, he said.
“The facility was thoroughly exploited, leading to the recovery of several items including Biafran flags and insignia, several rounds of 7.62 mm NATO ammunition and pipes used for priming IEDs’, Ayeni added.
“Other items recovered included pistol magazines containing rounds of ammunition, double-barrel guns, CCTV cameras, as well as multiple clips and electrical wires suspected to have been used in the fabrication of explosive devices’.
Penpushing reports that the army spokesman said that the EOD teams discovered many other IEDs concealed within the area, and that the explosives were carefully disconnected, recovered, and safely destroyed.
The Lieutenant-Colonel emphasised the Nigerian Army was committed to sustaining pressure on criminal networks threatening peace and security across Imo and Anambra states and the entire South-east region.
“Members of the public are requested to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, as community cooperation is vital to dismantling criminal syndicates and restoring lasting peace. Operation UDOKA is committed to protecting law-abiding citizens, securing lives and property and completely reinforcing regional stability’, he said.
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