The Defence Headquarters has announced fresh operational successes by troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the South-East, as security forces sustained pressure on criminal elements linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). The development was disclosed on Friday, 27 March 2026, by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, who reiterated the military’s resolve to dismantle threats to peace and economic stability in the region.
According to the report, troops of Operation UDO KA carried out clearance operations on 22 March 2026 in Orsumoghu, extending towards the Badanya axis in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State, where five Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were successfully detected and detonated, thereby averting potential threats to lives and movement along the route. On 23 March 2026, troops mounted a snap checkpoint at Ekukulena Community in Ikom LGA of Cross River State, leading to the arrest of a suspected criminal found in possession of a locally-made pistol and a mobile phone, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend his accomplice.
In a major economic security operation on the same day, troops deployed at Egbema West in Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State uncovered and destroyed a large illegal oil refining site. Recovered items included 35 cooking drums, eight reservoirs containing about 5,000 litres of illegally refined AGO/DPK, 75 sacks containing about 5,000 litres of siphoned crude oil, and 225 sacks containing about 13,000 litres of illegally refined AGO/DPK, bringing the total volume of seized and destroyed petroleum products to approximately 23,000 litres. The Defence Headquarters noted that the operation represents a significant blow to oil theft networks and criminal financing in the region, while reaffirming that sustained military operations will continue to ensure lasting security and stability across the South-East.