The Nigerian Air Force had on Tuesday morning bombed camps housing members of the “proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its paramilitary wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Anambra and Imo states.”
Also read; NLC, TUC declare nationwide indefinite strike
In a press release published on Wednesday, Air Force spokesman Gabriel Gabkwet said that several strikes were carried out at separate locations in the aforementioned states.
The locations of the air strikes were reported as Mother Valley Orsumoghu in Ihiala Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State and Aku Ihube in the Okigwe LGA of Imo State.
Prior to the operation, Gabkwet said troops had received intelligence of the planned disruption of civic activities across the South-East by the terrorists.
He went further to state that the operation was made possible following collaboration with ground troops and other security agencies that targeted locations believed to house some arms and ammunition of the militants.
FULL PRESS RELEASE
AIR STRIKES TARGET IPOB/ESN HIDEOUTS AT MOTHER VALLEY ORSUMUGHU IN ANAMBRA STATE AND AKU IHUBE IN IMO STATE
In efforts aimed at dislocating their nefarious activities while denying them the liberty to carry out their destructive acts and killing sprees on innocent and law-abiding Nigerians, aircraft under the Air Component of Operation UDO KA II, on Tuesday 26 September 2023, carried out several strikes on IPOB/ESN locations at Mother Valley Orsumughu in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State and at Aku Ihube in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State. The strikes at both locations achieved their intended outcome and deemed effective.
Acting on credible intelligence that IPOB/ESN terrorists had perfected plans to disrupt civic activities lined up in the coming days in Anambra State and other States in Southeast Nigeria from their concealed bunkers/hideouts at Mother Valley Orsumughu, air strikes were authorized in conjunction with ground troops and other security agencies on the location believed to also house some of their weapons and ammunitions. The strikes hit the target and were deemed successful following the ball of fire, fleeing terrorists at the location as well as feedback received.
Air strikes were also conducted, same day, in close coordination with surface forces at IPOB/ESN hideout camps in Aku Ihube In Imo State after detailed analysis of intelligence on the terrorists converging for a likely rendezvous at their hideout. Consequently, air strikes were also authorized to strike the hideout. The targets were acquired and attacked in succession, with a high degree of success.
Efforts by the NAF and other security agencies at ensuring all Nigerians, irrespective of where they reside, are safe and free to conduct their activities without fear or being threatened will continue. While the determination of the security agencies is unwavering, the support of all Nigerians to the security agencies remains critical to defeating these criminal elements who’s only intent is to sow fear and division among the citizenry.
Edward Gabkwet
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force
27 September 2023
Nnamdi Maduakor is a Writer, Investor and Entrepreneur