Troops of the 82 Division Garrison under Sector 1 of Operation UDO KA, working alongside operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, Enugu State Command, have uncovered a suspected weapons depot linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, ESN, in Enugu State.
The operation, according to the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, was carried out following actionable intelligence gathered from suspects earlier arrested in connection with the groups.
He disclosed that a significant cache of arms and ammunition was recovered during the operation, including General Purpose Machine Guns, an RPG-7 launcher tube, AK-47 rifles, hand grenades, a tear-gas gun with cartridges, AK-47 magazines, 270 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, and 478 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.
According to him: “On June 9, 2026, acting on credible intelligence derived from previously arrested suspects affiliated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), security forces conducted a precision follow-up operation in Gariki, Enugu South Local Government Area. Troops uncovered a clandestine arms hideout concealed within a zinc structure disguised as a piggery. A thorough exploitation of the site led to the recovery of a substantial cache of weapons and ammunition.
“This intelligence-driven operation underscores the effective interagency collaboration in the region, resulting in proactive measures to counter threats to national unity and public safety. It also reflects Operation UDO KA’s commitment to sustaining offensive actions against criminal and terrorist networks that undermine peace in the region. The public is encouraged to continue providing timely and credible information to security forces, thereby enhancing collective efforts to achieve lasting peace and security in the South East.”
Ayeni further stated that the recovered weapons and the arrested suspects had been transferred to the DSS Enugu State Command for further investigation and necessary legal procedures, reaffirming Operation UDO KA’s resolve to safeguard citizens and defend national sovereignty through sustained operations against criminal groups in the region.
