The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Sunday disclosed in a statement that the combined troops of Operation Udo Ka with Nigeria Police, Department of State Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have killed 20 IPOB/ESN terrorists and recovered assorted weapons in Imo State.
It also said troops cleared about 50 IPOB/ ESN hideout tents in the valley including terrorists Supreme Headquarters and their Command and Control Centre as well as its Military Council Headquarters.
The Director, Defence Media Operation (DMO), Major General Edward Buba, who signed the statement noted that “during the operations, troops made contact with terrorists. “Following a fire fight, troops neutralised 20 terrorists and recovered several quantities of assorted weapons such as G3 rifles, AK47 rifles, auto pump action guns, double barrel guns, locally made pistols and RPG bombs.” He added that “troops also recovered assorted ammunition which include 226 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 216 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 172 live cartridges, 4 AK47 magazines and 3 G3 magazines.
“Others items recovered include several quantities of IEDs (ogbunigwe), POS devices, baofeng radios, mobile phones, handheld IEDs, CCTV cameras, inverter and batteries. Additional items include, Biafra flags, amongst others.
“Troops destroyed all camps, hideouts and shrines in the location. The location was also littered with shallow graves indicative of Idol worshiping and ritual killings. The ritual killings at the camp accounts for the several cases of missing persons in the region.