Nigeria Air Force jets bomb Ipob/ESN camps and hideouts in Anambra and Imo states

NIGERIA Air Force (Naf) jets have bombed Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) camps in Imo and Anambra states as part of a major crackdown on separatist organisations under an action plan code-named Operation Udo Ka II.

Created as Ipob's armed wing the Eastern Security Network (ESN) has taken on the responsibility of confronting armed Fulani herdsmen across the southeast geo-political zone. Over the last year, however, the ESN has been accused of acts of bringandry, including raiding police stations and carting away weapons and of carrying out murders across the southeast.

However, Ipob  has vehemently denied this, saying the general public should understand that those behind the orgy of kidnapping and barbaric killings have no link whatsoever with ESN. It alleges that the genocide is planned by conspirators to unleash mayhem on Igbo people in their desperation to demonise ESN personnel and Ipob volunteers.

Despite these denials, Naf has decided to move against Ipob and ESN, bombing what it said are their armouries and hideouts in Anambra and Imo states. Naf spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said the air operations were executed following an intelligence report that the fighters had concluded plans to unleash mayhem on local residents.

He said the fighter jets conducted several air strikes on the Ipob fighters’ enclaves in Mother Valley Orsumughu in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State and at Aku Ihube in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State. He added that some of the bombed locations were considered to be their armouries.

Air Commodore Gabkwet said: “Acting on credible intelligence that Ipob/ESN terrorists had perfected plans to disrupt civic activities lined up in the coming days in Anambra State and other states in southeast Nigeria from their concealed bunkers/hideouts at Mother Valley Orsumughu, air strikes were authorised. The strikes hit the target and were deemed successful following the ball of fire, fleeing terrorists at the location, as well as feedback received.”

He also explained that air strikes destroyed Ipob fighters’ camps where they were billed to hold their meeting in Imo. According to Air Commodore Gabkwet, on the same day, air strikes were also conducted in close coordination with surface forces at Ipob/ESN hideout camps in Aku Ihube In Imo State after a detailed analysis of intelligence on the terrorists converging for a likely rendezvous at their hideout.