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Major Military Breakthrough: Troops Dismantle Armed Camps and Rescue 14 Hostages in Southeast Nigeria

Published by Tope Fakinlede on October 24th, 2024.

Major Military Breakthrough: Troops Dismantle Armed Camps and Rescue 14 Hostages in Southeast Nigeria

Troops from the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, alongside the Joint Task Force known as Operation Udo Ka, have successfully dismantled camps belonging to two armed groups in the Southeast region.

According to a statement released by Lt. Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, the operation took place early on October 22, focusing on areas around Igbo Ukwu and Uga in Anambra’s Aguata Council Area.

During the operation, four members of the armed groups were neutralized, and 14 individuals who had been held captive were rescued. The troops also targeted illegal oil bunkering activities in the region.

Unuakhalu reported that the troops encountered the armed groups during a firefight, where their superior firepower compelled the criminals to retreat. In addition to the neutralized suspects, two unregistered Lexus SUVs and a pump-action shotgun with cartridges were recovered.

Earlier, on October 21, troops engaged with terrorists while neutralizing two individuals and dismantling explosive devices set along supply routes. This operation yielded further recoveries, including IEDs, batteries, and a solar-powered CCTV camera.

Additionally, on October 9, the Joint Task Force raided a hideout in the Enugwu Umuonyia community, overwhelming the terrorists and confiscating a significant cache of weapons and ammunition. They destroyed the hideout and recovered stolen vehicles, previously taken from local residents.

The operations have extended beyond Anambra, with successful ambushes in Abia and further rescues, including an expatriate and workers from a construction company. On October 10, troops also freed ten sports journalists who had been kidnapped en route to Uyo, apprehending one suspected kidnapper in the process.

These coordinated efforts demonstrate the commitment of the Nigerian military to enhancing security and addressing criminal activities in the Southeast.