Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation UDO KA have destroyed a shrine allegedly used for ritual activities by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), during raids on suspected criminal hideouts in Olokoro, Abia State. Three suspects linked to kidnapping and ritual practices were arrested.
According to Lt. Col. Olabisi Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 82 Division, the operation was conducted by troops of the 14 Brigade as part of Operation Eastern Sanity, aimed at restoring security in the South-East.
“Acting on credible intelligence, our troops stormed several forested hideouts in Olokoro on March 11, 2026, believed to be used by kidnappers and ritualists aligned with IPOB and ESN,” Ayeni said.
He added, “During the operation, a shrine used for IPOB/ESN ritual activities and fortifications was uncovered and destroyed to deny the criminals any sanctuary.”
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The arrested suspects, in their 20s and 30s, were reportedly on security watch-lists for involvement in sacrifices, murder, and the exploitation of kidnap victims for rituals.
Items recovered during the operation included identity cards, ATM cards, empty ammunition cases, a motorcycle, suspected illicit substances, mobile phones, and machetes, all believed to have been used in criminal activities.
Ayeni confirmed that the clearance operation was ongoing, with troops continuing to comb the Olokoro forest and surrounding areas for additional camps, kidnappers, ritualists, and recovered weapons.
“The Nigerian Army remains committed to sustaining pressure on criminal networks threatening peace and security across Abia State and the wider South-East,” he said.
He urged the public to provide timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation is crucial to dismantling criminal syndicates and restoring lasting peace.