Troops conduct clearance operations in Anambra, Imo

Determined to remove Biafra liberation agitators from the south-eastern enclave, Operation Eastern Sanity troops said they supported clearance operations against the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its Eastern Security Network (ESN) in some areas of Anambra and Imo.

This can be read in a statement released by the spokesperson of the operation, lieutenant colonel. Olabisi Ayeni.

Ayeni said the coordinated operations aim to restore lasting peace and security in the region.

According to him, on March 3, 2026, troops in collaboration with other security agencies and the Nigerian Air Force continued the ongoing clearance operations at Camp Gbadoanya in Orsumoghu, Ihiala Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State.

He speculated that the joint force advanced to eliminate the remnants of IPOB/ESN terrorists operating in the camp and surrounding areas.

“During the operation, several insurgent camps were identified, exploited and destroyed.

“Items recovered included: pump action pistols, locally made Danish pistols, assorted rifle magazines, several working rifle parts, ammunition belts and cutting machines.

“Others are: Biafran currencies, different materials for making IEDs, Biafra Army band and musical equipment among other items. A Biafran flag and a Biafra Army Headquarters flag were also recovered.

“The troops destroyed the flags and hoisted the Nigerian flag in the camps,” he said.

The spokesperson said in the continuation of the operations on March 4, 2026, the troops also destroyed several other camps within Gbadoanya camp and other adjacent camps in nearby communities in Imo State.

He noted that troops also discovered and dismantled an improvised explosive device (IED) manufacturing site, which was carefully exploited and destroyed.

He said: “Several IED making items have been recovered from the sites.

“These include various welding machines, drilling machines and filling machines.

“Several car batteries, an electrode welding handle, 12 locally manufactured pistols and rifle components, as well as other IED equipment.”