Troops of the Joint Task Force South East (JTF-SE) under Operation UDO KA have stormed and dismantled a notorious insurgent enclave known as “Mother Valley” in Nkwere, Anambra State, in what security authorities described as a decisive assault on IPOB/ESN elements operating in the area.
The operation, carried out on Thursday, involved personnel of the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
According to a statement released after the raid, the troops “launched a daring final foot assault into the notorious Mother Valley, Nkwere, Anambra State, a long-standing enclave of IPOB/ESN elements.”
The forces reportedly advanced for more than three hours through what was described as “difficult and restricted terrain,” encountering fierce resistance from the suspected militants.
The statement noted that the combined troops “demonstrated exceptional courage, discipline, and professionalism to penetrate and dominate the valley despite fierce resistance.”
During the confrontation, alleged IPOB militias allegedly deployed improvised explosive devices and opened heavy gunfire in an effort to repel the advancing troops.
“During the intense engagement, the criminals employed locally made hand-held IEDs and heavy gunfire in a desperate attempt to halt the advance,” the statement said.
Despite the resistance, security forces claimed they overpowered the group. The statement added that troops “decisively overwhelmed the hostile elements, neutralising one IPOB member while several others fled with gunshot wounds, effectively shattering their defensive positions and operational cohesion.”
Security operatives also recovered a cache of weapons and logistics items from the location. Items listed include “two pump-action guns, one locally fabricated gun, one tear gas gun, seven gas cylinders, an electric kettle, and flags linked to extremist propaganda.”
Authorities further disclosed that troops destroyed what they described as the terrorists’ “Supreme Headquarters” within the valley. “Troops also destroyed all life-support structures at the terrorists’ Supreme Headquarters in the valley, including solar panels and a Mikano generator, dealing a critical blow to their operational sustainability,” the statement read.
In a related development, security operatives arrested two suspected IPOB members in a separate ambush operation. According to the statement, one suspect was apprehended “while attempting to emplace an IED,” while the second was “identified as a spy monitoring troop movements.”
Additionally, security forces recovered vehicles allegedly linked to the group. “One KIA saloon car and one black Toyota Sequoia jeep were recovered from a terrorist car park within the valley,” the statement noted.
The arrested suspects are currently in custody and undergoing profiling and further investigation. Meanwhile, troops are said to be sustaining “aggressive clearance operations to deny the criminals any freedom of action.”
The task force described the offensive as a strong warning to criminal elements operating in the region. “This decisive operation sends a clear and unmistakable warning to all criminal elements: there will be no hiding place, no sanctuary and no escape,” the statement declared.
Reaffirming its stance, the Nigerian Army maintained that it “remains resolute, relentless and fully committed to dismantling all terrorist networks across the South East and the entire nation.”
Law-abiding citizens were assured of continued protection. The statement added that residents can expect “sustained security presence and protection,” while criminals should anticipate “swift, overwhelming and lawful force wherever they attempt to threaten peace and stability.”
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