Troops of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA (OPUK), comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, launched a decisive foot assault on 26 February 2026 into the notorious Mother Valley in Nkwere, Anambra State, a long-standing enclave of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Troops advanced relentlessly for over three hours through rugged terrain, facing fierce resistance from criminals armed with locally made IEDs and heavy gunfire. Despite the hostile environment, the combined forces demonstrated exceptional courage and discipline, neutralizing one insurgent while forcing several others to flee with gunshot injuries, effectively dismantling the group’s defensive positions.
Significant seizures during the operation included two pump-action guns, a locally fabricated firearm, a tear gas gun, seven gas cylinders, an electric kettle, and extremist flags. Troops also destroyed life-support infrastructure at the group’s Supreme Headquarters in the valley, including solar panels and a Mikano generator, striking a critical blow to their operational capacity.
In a related maneuver, two suspected IPOB operatives were arrested—one attempting to plant an IED and the other acting as a spy monitoring troop movements. Vehicles recovered included a KIA saloon and a black Toyota Sequoia, all now in custody for investigation.
The operation sends a clear warning to all criminal elements in the South East: there is no safe haven. The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to relentless and lawful enforcement against insurgent networks, ensuring law-abiding citizens are protected and that peace and stability are upheld across the region.
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