By Abiodun Folarin
WorldStage– The military has said that its troops of the 82 Division Garrison, operating under Sector 1 of Operation UDO KA, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have uncovered a major arms cache linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), during a joint operation in Enugu State.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, the military said the operation was carried out as part of ongoing efforts to sustain peace and security in the South-East under Operation EASTERN SANITY II.
According to the military, the operation was conducted on June 9, 2026, following credible intelligence obtained from previously arrested IPOB/ESN suspects. Acting on the intelligence, security operatives launched a precision follow-up raid in Gariki, Enugu South Local Government Area of the state.
During the operation, troops discovered a concealed arms depot hidden inside a zinc structure disguised as a piggery. A thorough search of the facility led to the recovery of a significant cache of weapons and ammunition.
Items recovered included General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), an RPG-7 launcher tube, AK-47 rifles, hand grenades, a tear gas gun with cartridges, AK-47 magazines, 270 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, and 478 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.
The military said all recovered weapons, ammunition, and arrested suspects had been handed over to the DSS Enugu State Command for further investigation and prosecution.
It noted that the intelligence-driven operation demonstrates the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration in tackling security threats and disrupting criminal and terrorist networks operating in the region.
The military further reaffirmed the commitment of Operation UDO KA to sustaining offensive operations aimed at safeguarding lives, protecting national sovereignty, and maintaining peace across the South-East.
It also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to achieve lasting peace and security in the region.
