Army Breaks Up IPOB/ESN Camps in Anambra

Troops from the new 15 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have taken down three suspected IPOB/ESN camps and seized weapons, explosives, and other items during an operation in Anambra State.

This operation happened early on Saturday, August 15, 2026. It followed tips about the activities of suspected IPOB/ESN members around Osuakwa, at the border between Ihiala and Ogbaru Local Government Areas.

The troops were part of the Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA. They worked with personnel from the Department of State Services and members of the Agunechemba Vigilante Group.

According to the Nigerian Army on X, the joint force faced gunfire during the operation but "responded decisively, overwhelming the criminals after a fierce firefight."

The Army reported that three suspected IPOB/ESN members died in the clash. The three camps were successfully taken over and destroyed.

The troops also found a stockpile of weapons, explosives, and other items. These included one FN rifle with 10 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, one pump-action shotgun with five cartridges, and 15 sticks of dynamite.

They recovered four motorcycles, one gas cylinder, three hybrid batteries, two car batteries, and three handheld radio chargers.

While exploring the area further, they arrested a suspected IPOB/ESN member named Chijioke. They also caught a man and a woman believed to be accomplices. The three were reportedly with six children at the time.

The Commander of the 15 Brigade praised the troops, DSS personnel, and Agunechemba Vigilante Group members for their "courage, discipline and outstanding inter-agency cooperation."

He called the operation “another major setback for criminal and terrorist elements seeking to undermine peace and security in the South East.”

The Nigerian Army assured residents that the new brigade will keep conducting intelligence-led operations with other security agencies and local groups.

The Brigade said it remains dedicated to "denying all criminal elements freedom of action" and making sure law-abiding residents in Anambra State and the wider South-East region are safe.