Army dismantles IPOB/ESN camps in Anambra

On Saturday, August 15, 2026, Nigerian Army troops dismantled three suspected camps belonging to the Indigenous People of God (IPOB) and the East String Network (ESN) in Anambra State. Intelligence led to the operation in the early hours near Osuakwa, where the camps were situated at the border of Ihiala and Ogbaru Local Government Areas.

The newly formed 15 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, alongside the Department of State Services and the Agunechemba Vigilante Group, conducted the operation under the auspices of Operation UDO KA.

During the intense firefight, the joint force suffered casualties, killing three suspected IPOB/ESN members. The operation resulted in the destruction of the three camps and the recovery of various weapons, explosives, and other logistics. Among the items seized were an FN rifle with ten rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, a pump-action shotgun with five cartridges, and fifteen sticks of dynamite.

The troops also collected four motorcycles, one gas cylinder, three hybrid batteries, two car batteries, and three handheld radio chargers.

Following the operation, a suspected IPOB/ESN member named Chijioke, along with two accomplices, were apprehended. They were found with six children, posing a potential threat to the surrounding community. The Commander of 15 Brigade expressed gratitude for the bravery, discipline, and effective collaboration among the troops, DSS personnel, and Agunechemba Vigilante Group. He emphasized that the operation was a significant blow to criminal and terrorist activities in the South East region.

The Nigerian Army assured the public that the newly established brigade would continue its intelligence-led operations, working in tandem with other security agencies and local stakeholders. The brigade remains committed to eliminating all criminal elements and ensuring the safety and security of law-abiding residents within Anambra State and the broader South-East region.