The 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, stationed in Obinze, Owerri, conducted a successful operation to dismantle the stronghold of notorious terrorists led by Monday Ogu, alias ‘B44’,leadership reports.
During the operation, the troops unearthed shallow graves near the den in Ezioha Community, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, believed to contain the remains of the terrorists’ victims.
Brig.-Gen. Usman Lawal, the Brigade Commander, briefed reporters following the operation, stating that it was executed based on actionable intelligence. The den, strategically situated along the Njaba River, spanned across three Imo council areas—Njaba, Oru East, and Mbaitoli—where the criminals perpetrated various crimes.
The crimes included kidnapping for ransom, robbery of kidnapped individuals’ belongings, burning of vehicles, and murder, with many victims interred in shallow graves. Additionally, the terrorists vandalized victims’ vehicles and sold the parts while rendering the vehicles unrecognizable through burning.
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Brig.-Gen. Lawal urged residents to provide security agencies with vital information to aid in locating and neutralizing terrorists and other criminal elements.
Following the den’s clearance, the troops conducted forensic assessments on the retrieved bodies to facilitate their identification and proper burial, aiming to reunite them with their families.
The Commander commended his troops for their bravery in confronting security challenges, urging them to maintain their efforts until peace is fully restored in affected areas and Imo State as a whole.
He expressed gratitude to Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, and Imo Governor Hope Uzodimma for their unwavering moral and logistical support, which enabled the brigade’s operations.
Brig Gen. Lawal reiterated his commitment to combating terrorism, ensuring lasting peace, security, and socioeconomic development in Imo State and its surroundings.
