Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Pierre Antoine
Troops under the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA have carried out a coordinated ground assault on a long-identified insurgent enclave in Anambra State, marking one of the most forceful security operations in the region this year. The operation, conducted on 26 February 2026, targeted what security authorities described as the “Mother Valley” in Nkwere, an area believed to have served as a fortified base for elements linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network.
According to military sources, the Joint Task Force, comprising personnel from the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, advanced on foot into the valley in the early hours of the day. The terrain, described as dense and restrictive, required more than three hours of sustained movement under hostile conditions before troops fully penetrated the enclave.
The Indigenous People of Biafra, a separatist movement advocating for the independence of southeastern Nigeria, has been proscribed by the federal government since 2017. Authorities have consistently linked the group’s armed faction, the Eastern Security Network, to a series of attacks on security formations, government facilities and perceived collaborators across the region. The organization has repeatedly denied responsibility for some of the violence attributed to it, insisting that criminal gangs exploit its name.
Security officials said troops encountered fierce resistance as they approached what was described as the group’s operational headquarters within the valley. During the exchange, the armed elements allegedly deployed locally fabricated hand-held improvised explosive devices alongside sustained gunfire in an attempt to repel the advancing forces. The confrontation, which lasted for several hours, resulted in the neutralization of one suspected fighter, while others reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds into surrounding bush paths.
The military characterized the engagement as a decisive breach of the group’s defensive perimeter. By the end of the operation, troops had overrun the camp and asserted control over the valley, dismantling structures believed to have supported the enclave’s logistics and communications. Among the items recovered were two pump-action shotguns, a locally fabricated firearm and a tear gas launcher. Security personnel also seized seven gas cylinders, an electric kettle and flags described as bearing extremist insignia.
Authorities further reported that solar panels and a Mikano generator powering the camp were destroyed during the clearance phase. The dismantling of these installations was described as a strategic move to degrade the enclave’s operational sustainability, particularly its ability to maintain power for communications equipment and other essential services in the remote terrain.
In a related development, an ambush team operating within the broader theatre arrested two individuals suspected of affiliation with the outlawed group. One of the suspects was apprehended while allegedly attempting to emplace an improvised explosive device along a route believed to be used by security patrols. The second individual was described as a suspected informant tasked with monitoring troop movements. Both are currently in custody and undergoing profiling and further investigation.
Security operatives also recovered two vehicles from what was described as a makeshift car park within the valley. The vehicles, identified as a KIA saloon car and a black Toyota Sequoia sport utility vehicle, are being examined for forensic and intelligence value. Officials did not disclose ownership details, citing ongoing investigations.
Operation UDO KA, the codename for the Joint Task Force South East campaign, was established to coordinate inter-agency efforts against separatist militancy and organized criminality in the region. The South East has experienced fluctuating levels of violence over recent years, including attacks on police stations, correctional facilities and electoral offices. Analysts note that the security landscape has been complicated by overlapping actors, ranging from ideological militants to bandit groups and opportunistic criminal networks.
The assault on Mother Valley reflects a broader shift toward aggressive clearance operations aimed at denying armed groups sanctuary in forested and rural enclaves. Military strategists argue that such sanctuaries provide staging grounds for ambushes, recruitment and logistical consolidation. By dismantling fixed bases, security forces seek to fragment command structures and disrupt operational planning.
Residents in parts of Anambra State have long reported anxiety over the presence of armed actors in remote communities, with local economies and farming activities frequently disrupted. While some community leaders have expressed cautious optimism following intensified security operations, others have called for parallel investments in dialogue, economic recovery and youth employment to address underlying grievances.
Human rights observers continue to urge restraint and strict adherence to rules of engagement during counterinsurgency operations, emphasizing the need to safeguard civilian lives and property. The military has repeatedly stated that its operations are conducted in accordance with Nigerian law and international humanitarian standards.
Stone Reporters note that the outcome of the Mother Valley offensive may carry symbolic weight beyond its immediate tactical gains. By targeting what was described as a “Supreme Headquarters,” authorities appear intent on projecting a message of sustained state presence in contested spaces. Whether the dismantling of the enclave translates into a durable reduction in violence will depend on subsequent follow-up operations and the ability of security forces to maintain territorial control.
For now, officials say clearance operations remain ongoing, with patrols continuing in adjacent areas to prevent regrouping by fleeing fighters. Law enforcement agencies have reiterated assurances that law-abiding citizens will receive protection, while those involved in armed violence should expect swift legal consequences.
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