Anambra: Troops Neutralise IPOB/ESN Militant, Recover Weapons
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 185 Battalion, in collaboration with the Military Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and local vigilantes, have neutralised a suspected Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) operative during an offensive operation in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The operation was conducted at about 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2026, following intelligence on suspected IPOB/ESN strongholds in Obene and Abator villages within the Ochuche and Umunankwo communities.
According to a military situation update, troops launched a dawn assault on the identified locations, prompting the suspected operatives to flee while engaging the advancing troops with gunfire.
Read Also:
The troops pursued the fleeing fighters and reportedly followed blood stains along their withdrawal route. One suspected operative was subsequently neutralised, while other members of the group reportedly escaped with the remains of another operative believed to have been killed during the encounter.
The troops recovered two pump-action guns, two motorcycles and materials suspected to be components for the manufacture of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), as well as other items.
However, the operation recorded a fatal setback when a soldier, identified as Private Danladi Zakariya, stepped on an IED while troops were returning to their start line.
The explosion caused severe injuries to the soldier, who was immediately evacuated to a hospital for medical attention. He, however, succumbed to severe blood loss while being transported.
His remains were subsequently deposited at the mortuary of St. Charles Borromeo Hospital, Onitsha.
Despite the casualty, the troops maintained control of the operational area and continued offensive operations against suspected IPOB/ESN elements.
The military said the troops remained highly motivated and operationally effective, with ongoing efforts focused on denying the armed group freedom of action and disrupting its activities within the area.
By PRNigeria
