Military pressure forces IPOB/ESN fighters to surrender arms in South-East
Sustained military operations in the South-East have forced some members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), to surrender their weapons, according to military authorities.
The development was disclosed in a military operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.
According to the report, continuous offensive operations and logistics disruption by Operation UDO KA (OPUK) in the Ohaji-Egbema and Orsumoghu general areas compelled some fighters to surrender and hand over their arms.
The military said the operation led to the recovery of three rifles, six magazines, 99 rounds of ammunition, four locally fabricated firearms and one improvised explosive device (IED).
The report also revealed that a militant leader identified as “Comedy” voluntarily informed the Imo State Amnesty Committee of the location where his weapons had been buried after sustained pressure from troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade.
A recovery team led by the committee subsequently exhumed the cache and handed it over to the brigade.
Items recovered included one AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 magazines, 54 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and four locally made guns.
The military expressed optimism that the development would encourage other militant groups operating in the region to voluntarily surrender their illegal weapons.
It added that intelligence indicated that more IPOB/ESN members were seeking safe channels to surrender their arms, while troops maintained operational pressure and surveillance across the region.
The report further stated that troops of Sector 5, Operation UDO KA, conducted a follow-up operation after a viral video released by the Anambra Vigilante Group showed the recovery of two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs).
The operation resulted in the recovery of two GPMGs, 45 rounds of 7.62mm x 51 ammunition and one improvised explosive device.
According to the military, all recovered weapons and ammunition are in its custody for further investigation, while operations continue across the South-East.
