The Joint Security Task Force (JTF) in the South-East has arrested two suspected members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and seized a large number of weapons during operations targeting the group’s camps.
Jonah Unuakhalu, the JTF spokesperson, confirmed that one of these raids occurred on December 5 at Uhuala-Aku in Okigwe Local Government Area (LGA) in Imo State. During this operation, 26 makeshift structures in the camp were destroyed.
According to Unuakhalu, the troops acted on credible intelligence and encountered armed individuals, forcing them to flee into nearby forests as they faced superior firepower.
Seized Weapons and Other Items
Among the weapons and materials recovered during the raid were:
- A G3 rifle
- Two pump-action rifles
- Three dane guns
- One locally fabricated pistol
- One MG belt
- Two AK-47 rifle magazines
- 12 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition
- Five rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition
Additional items included a human skull, a Toyota Hilux vehicle, six radio chargers, 20 car keys, and one Baofeng radio.
Arrests and Further Operations
The two suspects were arrested in the Okposi community of Ebonyi State. During this arrest, authorities also found two locally fabricated pistols, nine live cartridges, and one motorcycle.
In another raid led by Sector 1 troops in collaboration with the Department of State Service (DSS), a camp located at Agu Orba Ekwegbe in Nsukka LGA, Enugu State, was targeted.
During this operation, troops uncovered:
- Two general-purpose machine guns (GPMG)
- One single-barrel gun
- 12 unfinished rifles
- Two single-revolver pistols
- 10 unfinished pistols
- Two pistol magazines
- 335 rounds of 7.62mm by 51mm live ammunition
- 12 rounds of pump-action rifle live cartridges
- 11 empty cartridges
Additional materials recovered included 21 military desert boots, eight military raincoats, three IPOB/ESN flags, a first aid kit, six cutlasses, two knives, and bags of rice and garri. Following the operation, the camp was destroyed.
These operations are part of the JTF’s ongoing efforts to dismantle ESN camps and reduce violence in the South-East.