Four Killed, Five Arrested As Imo Joint Security Taskforce Dismantles Terrorists Camp

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

In a major clearance operation, the Imo State Joint Security Taskforce on Sunday, December 15, 2024, announced the killing of no fewer than four suspected terrorist elements, and the arrest of five others.

At a media briefing, the joint taskforce comprising all the security agencies in the state said the operation was carried out at the notorious IPOB/ESN camp at St Peter’s Anglican Church premises in Eziama Obiato, in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the State.

The Source reports that the camp is believed to be the operational headquarters of an armed wing of a suspected terrorist group- the B44, just in the mould of Simon Ekpa’s Autopilots militia.

The group, allegedly, led by one Oluchukwu Ogu, according to the joint taskforce, has for some time ,now ,set its  camp in Eziama Obiato from where they have been terrorizing innocent people.

Brigadier General Usman Lawal,  Commander 34 Field Artillery Brigade Obinze, Commissioner of Police, CP, Imo State, Aboki Danjuma, Brigadier General Joseph Ogbonna, rtd ,the Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodinma, along side other heads of security outfits in the state informed that the main objective of the joint operation was to dismantle the infamous terrorist camp.

They expressed satisfaction with the level of success recorded in the exercise, adding that the hoodlums had before now been launching most of their attacks in the State from the Eziama camp.

According to the State’s Security Chiefs, many residents of Eziama and adjourning communities have deserted their homes due to the criminal activities of the B44 group.

The taskforce maintained that the group and its camp remain one of the strongholds of terrorist elements operating in Imo State, with all the Biafra insignias conspicuously displayed at the camp.

In addition to the neutralization and arrest of some of the suspected terrorists, the taskforce said it also recovered large quantities of arms, ammunition, including explosive devices which were laid by the group to prevent security operatives from penetrating the camp.

However, the devices according to them,were all identified and detonated.

The Joint taskforce while appealing to residents who had fled their homes to return, also, reaffirmed the commitment of  the Imo State Government and Security Agencies to adequately protect lives and properties of the people.

They assured Imo State  residents of the readiness of security agencies to ensure a hitch free Yuletide season.