The Nigerian Army said it has dismantled a camp linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Imo State.
According to an official statement issued on Saturday, the operation was carried out on Thursday along the Ubaha-Orsu axis in Orsu Local Government Area by troops of the Army’s 82 Division.
The Army said during the subsequent search of the area, soldiers uncovered shallow graves believed to contain the remains of two abducted personnel, Master Warrant Officer Linus Musa Audu and Private Gloria Mathew.
The officers were kidnapped and killed in May 2022 while travelling for their traditional wedding.
The remains have been secured and will undergo forensic examination, including DNA testing, to confirm their identities.
The Army added that it is liaising with the families of the deceased to ensure proper identification and facilitate burial arrangements.
It said the mission formed part of an ongoing clearance exercise targeting suspected IPOB/ESN hideouts in the region.
The Army disclosed that troops, acting on credible intelligence, advanced on the location but encountered heavy resistance from armed elements.
The statement further described the discovery of the remains of soldiers as a significant development in efforts to account for missing personnel and dismantle criminal networks in the South-East.
It also reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to ongoing operations aimed at restoring security and stability in the region.
Residents were urged to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
