Army recovers abducted Imo community leader’s remains from forest grave

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Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade, Owerri, operating under Operation UDO KA as part of Operation Eastern Sanity II, have uncovered a shallow grave and exhumed the remains of a missing community leader, Chief Ibe Anyadu, in Imo State.

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The acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Lt. Col. Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.

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According to the Army, Chief Anyadu, a community leader from Aggah in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, was kidnapped and murdered by a criminal gang before being buried in a shallow grave in the Umudike Forest.

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Ayeni said the discovery followed recent intelligence-led operations that resulted in the arrest of suspects linked to the killing of a Nigerian Army soldier and the recovery of stolen service weapons.

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He explained that during interrogation, one of the suspects confessed to participating in the murder of the community leader and led troops to the burial site.

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“On August 2, 2026, the suspects guided troops to a shallow grave within the Umudike Forest, one of the criminals’ known camps, where the remains of the late Chief Ibe Anyadu were successfully exhumed,” the statement said.

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The exhumation was carried out in the presence of the deceased’s family, vigilante personnel from Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, and representatives of the Aggah and Umudike communities. Family members provided a coffin and an ambulance to facilitate a dignified burial in accordance with local customs.

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The Army reiterated that Operation UDO KA remained committed to dismantling criminal networks, bringing perpetrators of violent crimes to justice, and ensuring that victims’ families receive closure through lawful processes.

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It also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations across the South-East.

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Meanwhile, the Commander of the Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA, Maj. Gen. Oluremi Fadairo, assured the family of the deceased and the people of Aggah community that those arrested would be prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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Fadairo also extended his condolences to the family of the late community leader and prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul.

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The latest breakthrough comes amid sustained military operations across the South-East aimed at dismantling armed groups blamed for a wave of attacks, kidnappings and killings in the region.

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Imo State, particularly parts of Ohaji/Egbema and neighbouring local government areas, has witnessed repeated security operations targeting criminal camps hidden in forests, with security agencies intensifying intelligence-led raids to restore public safety and apprehend those responsible for violent crimes.

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