By CHARLES IWUOHA

Troops of Joint Task Force South-East, code-named “Operation UDO KA” have neutralised 13 armed members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and nabbed three kidnappers in teh South-East.

The Spokesman of Operation UDO KA, Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, said in a statement on Monday in Enugu that the feat was in furtherance of its clearance operations to make the South-East safe and peaceful throughout the Yuletide.

Unuakhalu said that the Force Commander of Operation UDO KA, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, had called on all well-meaning citizens to continue supporting the Joint Task Force.

He said that citizens of the South-East can do this by providing timely, reliable and credible information in order to make the South-East peaceful throughout the yuletide period and beyond.

He said: “Remember, security is everybody's business. It is not in the hands of security agencies alone.

“When you see something, say something by calling the JTF Operation UDO KA's toll free line -193 and press Option 2 - to speak directly to Headquarters Operation UDO KA.”

On operational details, Unuakhalu said that troops of Sector 1 of Operation UDO KA on Dec. 21, conducted an ambush operation along Amouka-Umouka Road in 9th Mile, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State to deny kidnappers freedom of action.

According to him, during the operation, troops came in contact with the kidnappers and in the ensuing firefight, the troops neutralised one while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

“Items recovered at the scene were: one AK-47 rifle, two magazines and 17 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition; two cell-phones; one power-bank; three ATM cards; one wristwatch, bunch of keys and the sum of N8,900,” he said.

The spokesman said that equally, on Dec. 16, troops of Sector 5 conducted a clearance operation within Mbosi and Isseke general area in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra.

He said that during the operation, troops came in contact with the irredentist neutralising three members of the group while others fled into the surrounding bushes.

He said, “Items recovered included: one AK-47 rifle, two loaded AK-47 magazine and three Dane guns while a house belonging to one of the irredentist commander and a shrine use for their fortification were destroyed.

“The gallant troops had earlier recovered five water gel Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and two batteries used for detonating the IEDs while on routine patrol along Roads within Ihiala–Orlu, Lilu, Agba Lilu and Orsumoghu general area in Anambra State.”

The spokesman said that similarly, on Dec. 15, troops deployed at Ekeututu Market in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State came under attack by pockets of the irredentist.

“However, the gallant and vigilant troops repelled the attack with superior fire power forcing the terrorists to withdraw in disarray; while during exploitation one AK-47 rifle was recovered,” he said.

Unuakhalu noted that on Dec. 14, troops acting on credible and reliable information from members of the public arrested three suspected kidnappers at Itungwa in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia.

He said that on receiving the information about the movement of the suspected kidnappers, troops quickly mounted a snap checkpoint in order to apprehend the suspects.

“The suspects operating in a stolen tricycle on sighting the troops attempted to make a U- turn but were apprehended.

“Items recovered included: one AK-47 rifle, one G3 rifle, one locally-made single barrel pistol, 10 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 34 rounds of 5.5mm ammunition, two AK-47 rifle magazine, two G3 rifle magazine and one live cartridge.

“Other items recovered were: one mobile phone, the sum of N6,600 and two Knapsack bags used for concealing the weapons,” he said.

In the same vein, on Dec. 11, he said that troops in continuation of its clearance operation in conjunction with sister services and paramilitary agencies cleared Ezioha general area in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo.

According to him, troops in conjunction with the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies including the DSS on arrival at Umuaka community came in contact with the IPOB/ESN terrorists group.

He said, “During the firefight troops neutralised nine of the irredentist while others flee into the nearby bushes with gunshot wounds.

“Items recovered were: military and customs uniforms; Biafra currencies, one CCTV camera and charms and four command IEDs were detonated and the phones used in detonating the IEDs were recovered.

“Operation UDO KA will continue to carry out its constitutional roles of safeguarding lives and property in line with global best practice as laid down in the rules of engagement and code of conducts guiding its operations."