A major operation by troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation UDO KA has led to the dismantling of a camp suspected to belong to the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Ugwunagbo Local Government Area of Abia State.
The raid, which took place in the early hours of May 23, was based on intelligence indicating a fortified militant base in the Ebubengwa/Abayi Nchokoro community.
According to a Special Situation Report (SITREP) from 144 Battalion (Rear), obtained by SaharaReporters on Friday, the coordinated mission involved six platoons, each comprising 49 soldiers, and was led by the unit’s commanding officer.
The troops were supported by one armoured personnel carrier (APC), a gun truck, and six Hilux vehicles.
The operation resulted in the full destruction and clearing of the camp, with a notable cache of weapons and logistics seized. Among the recovered items were:
- 1 × Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG)
- 1 × General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG)
- 4 × AK-47 rifles
- 1 × G3 rifle
- 3 × Pump action guns
- 800 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition
- 648 rounds of 7.62mm NATO rounds
Also confiscated were two power generators, laptops, mobile phones, a Wi-Fi router, CCTV cameras, external hard drives, food stocks, ritual vests, and significant cash sums, ₦11.75 million and $27,000.
A shrine reportedly used for spiritual rituals was also uncovered and destroyed, along with several vehicles and motorcycles including:
- 1 × Honda Pilot SUV
- 2 × Toyota Highlander SUVs
- 1 × Toyota Hiace bus
- 1 × Mini bus
- 1 × Tricycle
- 2 × Motorcycles
The operation escalated into a firefight. “AFTER A GUN DUEL, THE TERRS WDR IN DISARRAY DUE TO HY FIRE POWER WITH BLOOD TRAILS AND UNCFM NO OF CAS,” the report stated, indicating that the militants fled, leaving signs of injury and possible fatalities behind.
However, the army also sustained losses. “OWN TPS RECORDED 1 × KIA AND 2 × WIA WHICH INCLUDE 1 X OFFR AND 1 X SLDR. THE CORPSE HAS BEEN DEPOSITED AT FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER UMUAHIA AND THE NOK HAS BEEN CONTACTED WHILE THE WIA SLDRS WERE EVAC TO MED FACILITY IN ABA AND ARE RESPONDING TO TREATMENT.”
The troops are said to have fired 630 rounds of 7.62mm special and 235 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition during the operation. Following the raid, the area has been secured and remains under surveillance.
The SITREP detailed the scale and outcome of the action:
“OP UDO KA SPECIAL SITREP. *RAID OPERATION ON IPOB/ESN CAMP. AT ABOUT 220400A MAY 23, FOL A RELIABLE AND ACTIONABLE INTEL ON THE EXISTENCE OF NOTORIOUS IPOB/ESN CAMP IN EBUBENGWA/ABAYI NCHOKORO COMMUNITY IN UGWUNAGBO LGA, OWN TPS COMPRISING OF 6 × 49 SLDRS LED BY OWN SUNRAY USING 1 × APC EQ-SERIES, 1 × GUN TRUCK AND 6 × HILUX VEHS LAUNCHED A WELL-COORDINATED RAID OP THAT RESULTED IN THE COMPLETE DISLODGEMENT AND DESTR OF THE IPOB CAMP AND DISSEMATING OF THEIR FIRE POWER WHICH LED TO REC OF 1 × RPG, 1 × GPMG, 4 × AK-47 RIFLES, 1× G3 RIFLE, 3 × PUMP ACTION GUNS.”
“TPS ALSO DISCOVERED A BIG SHRINE USED FOR SPIRITUAL ACTIVITIES AND 5 X VEHS IN THE CAMP WHICH INCLUDE 1 X HONDA PILOT SUV, 2 X TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SUVS, 1 X TOYOTA HIACE BUS, 1 X MINI BUS, 1 X TRICYCLE AND 2 X MOTORCYCLES. THE ENTIRE CAMP INCLUDING THE SHRINE AND ALL VEHS WERE DESTR AND SET ABLAZE. DURING THE EXCHANGE OF FIRE, TPS EXPENDED QTY 630 X 7.62MM SPECIAL AND QTY 235 X 12.7MM RDS.”
