In a sweeping military operation dubbed Operation Udoka, security forces in Imo State targeted a notorious stronghold nestled within Ezioha forest, situated in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area.
This encampment, allegedly orchestrated by individuals affiliated with the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), had long served as a hub for a myriad of illicit activities.
Led by Brigadier General Usman Lawal, Commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade in Obinze, Imo State, the operation aimed to dismantle the criminal infrastructure entrenched within the forest’s depths.
General Lawal underscored the forest’s grim reputation, citing its association with the abduction and torture of high-profile victims, a harrowing reality that had plagued the region for far too long.
Of particular concern was the stranglehold exerted by an individual known only as “B44,” suspected to be a key figure within IPOB’s ranks, who wielded considerable influence over the area.
The forest’s strategic location, straddling three local government areas—Oru East, Njaba, and Mbaitoli—had facilitated its transformation into a haven for lawlessness under B44’s alleged command.
During the meticulously planned raid, security forces unearthed three bodies from a shallow grave concealed within the forest’s labyrinthine confines.
Additionally, a trove of incriminating evidence emerged, including car registration plates, vehicle documents, keys, and personal effects believed to belong to victims of past kidnappings, shedding light on the heinous crimes perpetrated within the camp’s shadowy confines.
