The Nigeria Army said troops on clearance operations, in the early hours of Wednesday, in conjunction with a Task Force Tactical Patrol Squad, conducted a raid on a training camp of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) located in Ihechiowa community of Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State.

In a statement on its X, the Army said during the operation, troops successfully infiltrated and dismantled the camp, destroying all training apparatus and facilities found on-site.

In addition to the destruction of the training camp, the troops also targeted buildings used as hideouts for key ESN commanders.

The statement said the operation was sequel to heightened terrorists’ activities of IPOB/ESN, targeting law-abiding citizens and government agencies in Abia State and other parts of Southeastern Nigeria.

“In a separate operation, troops of the Nigerian Army in conjunction with other security agencies have successfully cleared bandits and criminals’ hideouts around Irele, Igbobini and Segbemi Kiribo in the general area of Ese-Odo forest in Irele Local Government Area of Ondo state.

“During the clearance operations, the troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 rifle magazine, 5 locally fabricated single barrel guns, and one locally made pistol. Other items recovered from the bandits include 18 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition and 24 live Cartridges.”