Security forces discover hidden arsenal linked to IPOB and ESN in Enugu

Troops from the 82 Division Garrison, operating under Sector 1 of Operation Udoka, have collaborated with the Department of State Services to uncover a suspected arms hideout in Enugu State, recovering a substantial cache of weapons and ammunition in the process. This operation was conducted as part of Operation Eastern Sanity II, a broader initiative aimed at consolidating peace and stability in the South-East region.

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The operation was made possible by credible intelligence gathered from previously arrested suspects linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, according to Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations.

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On June 9, 2026, security operatives carried out a targeted follow-up operation in Gariki, Enugu South Local Government Area, where they discovered a concealed arms cache inside a zinc structure disguised as a piggery.

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A thorough search of the site yielded a significant cache of weapons and ammunition, including general-purpose machine guns, an RPG-7 launcher tube, AK-47 rifles, hand grenades, and a tear gas gun with cartridges.

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Other recovered items include AK-47 magazines, 270 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, and 478 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, all of which were seized during the operation.

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The suspects arrested during the operation, along with the recovered items, have been handed over to the DSS Enugu State Command for further investigation and possible prosecution, according to Lieutenant Colonel Ayeni.

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The successful operation demonstrates effective inter-agency collaboration and proactive efforts to address security threats in the region, reflecting the commitment of Operation Udoka to sustaining pressure on criminal networks.

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Operation Udoka's efforts are geared towards ensuring the safety and security of the South-East region by targeting groups that threaten peace and public safety, Ayeni explained.

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Lieutenant Colonel Ayeni urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to enhance ongoing efforts aimed at ensuring lasting peace and security in the region.