In a decisive blow to insurgent activities in the Southeast, a massive joint security operation has successfully reopened a strategic lifeline in Imo State that remained shuttered for over three years.
Under the mandate of Operation UDO KA and the broader Operation EASTERN SANITY, a multi-agency force led by the 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army cleared the Lilu–Eketutu Road within the Orsu–Eketutu Mother Valley on March 6, 2026.
This critical route, which previously served as the primary artery for the movement of goods and people across surrounding communities, had been rendered impassable by the persistent threat of militants from the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and their armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The successful reclamation of the highway was made possible through the combined efforts of the Nigerian Navy, Air Force, Department of State Services, Police, and the NSCDC.
During the advance, specialists from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit identified and neutralized several Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) that had been strategically planted to deter commuters and security forces. By safely recovering these explosives, the military has finally restored a sense of normalcy to a region that had been economically and socially stifled for thirty-six months.
The momentum of the clearance mission surged further on March 11, 2026, as troops pushed into the Orsu–Ihiteukwa general area. Despite facing multiple IED detonations during their approach, the security forces maintained their advance and uncovered a sophisticated IED-making factory operated by IPOB/ESN.
A thorough search of the facility yielded a significant cache of incriminating materials, including Biafran insignia, NATO-standard 7.62 mm ammunition, pistol magazines, and double-barrel guns. Furthermore, the discovery of CCTV surveillance systems and specialized electrical wiring confirmed the site’s role as a primary fabrication hub for the explosives used to terrorize the local population.
The Nigerian Army, through a statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to dismantling the criminal enclaves that threaten regional stability.
By destroying the recovered explosives and reclaiming occupied territories, the military aims to facilitate the immediate and safe return of displaced residents to their ancestral homes.
Security officials continue to emphasize that the cooperation of the public through timely intelligence remains the most vital tool in ensuring that these liberated areas remain secure and that the peace restored to the South East becomes permanent.