Troops of the 82 Division Garrison, operating under Sector 1 of Operation UDO KA, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), Enugu State Command, have uncovered a major arms cache belonging to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) .
The operation was conducted on June 9, 2026, in Gariki, Enugu South Local Government Area, as part of the ongoing Operation EASTERN SANITY II aimed at consolidating peace and security in the South-East region . According to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, the breakthrough followed credible intelligence obtained from previously arrested IPOB/ESN suspects .
During the precision follow-up operation, troops discovered a clandestine arms hideout concealed within a zinc structure cleverly disguised as a piggery . A thorough search of the facility led to the recovery of a significant cache of weapons and ammunition .
Recovered items include General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), an RPG-7 launcher tube, AK-47 rifles, hand grenades, a tear gas gun with cartridges, several AK-47 magazines, 270 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, and 478 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition .
The Army confirmed that all recovered items and arrested suspects have been handed over to the DSS Enugu State Command for further investigation and possible prosecution .
The military described the operation as a testament to effective interagency collaboration and reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive actions against criminal and terrorist networks undermining peace in the region .
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