Joint Troops Arrest Two Suspects After Raid on Mother Valley Camp in Anambra

Joint security operatives under Operation UDO KA have arrested two suspects after a coordinated assault on what officials described as an ESN/IPOB headquarters in the Mother Valley area of Anambra State.

A source at Army Headquarters said the operation was launched early on February 26, with personnel drawn from the military, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. The source said the force moved on foot for about three hours through difficult terrain before reaching the target location in the Nkwere axis.

According to the source, the troops encountered strong resistance from armed elements who used locally made improvised explosive devices and sustained gunfire to hold their positions. The source said the team broke through after a prolonged exchange.

He said: “the troops, however, displayed resilience and professionalism, overwhelmed the fighters and broke through their defensive positions.”

The operation, according to the account, led to the killing of one suspected IPOB member, while other fighters were believed to have escaped with gunshot injuries. Security personnel also said several structures used to sustain the camp were destroyed.

Recovered items listed by the source included two pump-action guns, one locally fabricated firearm, one tear gas gun, and seven gas cylinders. He added that personnel also found a Biafran flag, a United States flag and an Israeli flag during the sweep.

The source further said an ambush team attached to the operation arrested two additional suspects. One was detained while allegedly attempting to plant an IED, while the second was arrested for allegedly monitoring troop movement into the valley.

Both men are currently being held by the 34 Military Intelligence unit for profiling and further investigation, according to the source.

Security personnel also recovered one Kia saloon car and one black Toyota Sequoia SUV from a separate parking area within the valley, the source said. He added that efforts were ongoing to move the vehicles to the Forward Operating Base in Orsu.

The operation is one of the latest in a series of joint missions in the South-East focused on dismantling armed camps and disrupting logistics channels used by violent groups. Authorities say more follow-up actions are expected as intelligence analysis continues.