Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Nigerian military troops under Operation Eastern Sanity have intensified clearance operations against the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, destroying multiple camps and recovering weapons, explosives materials and separatist symbols during coordinated operations in Anambra State.
The military offensive targeted insurgent hideouts within Camp Gbadoanya located in Orsumoghu community in Ihiala Local Government Area, a region that has repeatedly featured in security operations against armed separatist groups operating in parts of southeastern Nigeria.
According to military authorities, the operation was carried out on March 3, 2026 by troops working in collaboration with other security agencies, with close air support provided by the Nigerian Air Force. The operation formed part of an ongoing effort to dismantle suspected militant infrastructure and restore stability across areas where separatist-linked armed groups have maintained camps inside forested terrain.
Security officials said the joint force advanced into the Gbadoanya camp area after intelligence reports indicated the presence of suspected fighters and logistics bases used by the armed group. The troops reportedly engaged in systematic clearance operations aimed at flushing out remaining militants and dismantling their operational structures.
During the operation, soldiers discovered and destroyed several insurgent camps believed to have been used for training, weapons storage and the coordination of attacks across surrounding communities. Military sources said the camps were thoroughly searched and exploited before being destroyed to prevent them from being reused by militants.
A significant cache of weapons and equipment was recovered during the raid. The items seized included pump-action shotguns, locally fabricated Dane guns, assorted rifle magazines and various rifle components believed to have been used for weapon maintenance and modification. Troops also recovered belts of ammunition and cutting machines suspected to have been used in the fabrication of improvised weapons and explosive devices.
Security personnel also discovered separatist symbols and materials associated with the Biafra movement. Among the items recovered were Biafran currency notes and musical instruments belonging to what was described as the Biafran Army Band. Officials said these materials were believed to have been used for propaganda activities and ceremonial displays within the camps.
Additionally, troops recovered a Biafran flag and a flag bearing the inscription of a so-called Biafran Army Headquarters. According to military authorities, the flags were destroyed on site while the Nigerian national flag was raised within the cleared camps to symbolically mark the restoration of government control over the area.
Military officials said the operation continued the following day as troops expanded their sweep of the forest area to eliminate any remaining militant structures. On March 4, 2026, soldiers reportedly located and destroyed additional camps within the same Gbadoanya complex as part of the extended clearance exercise.
During the follow-up operations, troops discovered what security authorities described as an improvised explosive device fabrication site hidden within the camp network. The facility was allegedly used for assembling explosive devices intended for attacks on security forces and public infrastructure in the region.
Explosive ordnance specialists were deployed to examine the site and safely dismantle the materials found there. After the location was fully exploited for intelligence purposes, the fabrication facility was destroyed to prevent future use.
Among the equipment recovered from the suspected bomb-making location were several welding machines, drilling machines and filling machines believed to have been used in constructing improvised explosive devices. Troops also seized multiple car batteries, which investigators believe were intended for use as power sources for explosive triggers.
Other materials recovered included an electrode welding handle and twelve locally fabricated firearms along with various rifle components. Military authorities said these items were consistent with equipment used in makeshift weapons workshops previously uncovered in militant hideouts across parts of southeastern Nigeria.
Security analysts note that improvised explosive devices have increasingly appeared in attacks attributed to armed separatist groups in the region. In recent years, security forces have reported several incidents in which such devices were used to target patrol vehicles, government facilities or perceived opponents of separatist agitation.
Operation Eastern Sanity was launched as part of the Nigerian military’s broader campaign to dismantle militant camps and disrupt armed groups linked to the IPOB movement, which the Nigerian government designated as a terrorist organisation in 2017. The Eastern Security Network, formed in 2020 by IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, has been accused by authorities of operating armed camps and conducting attacks against security personnel and government institutions.
Security operations in Anambra, Imo, Abia and neighbouring states have intensified in recent years as the military, police and other security agencies attempt to curb violent incidents linked to separatist militancy. These incidents have included attacks on police stations, government offices and election facilities, as well as targeted killings and enforcement of sit-at-home orders in parts of the region.
Stone Reporters note that forested areas across southeastern Nigeria have become strategic locations for armed groups due to the dense terrain and limited accessibility for conventional security patrols. As a result, military operations increasingly rely on intelligence-driven raids and air support to locate and dismantle hidden camps.
Military authorities said the latest operation demonstrates the continued effort by security forces to deny militant groups the ability to establish operational bases within rural communities. They added that clearance operations will continue across identified hotspots in order to ensure that insurgent networks are fully dismantled.
Residents in communities surrounding Ihiala Local Government Area have previously reported heightened military patrols and security checkpoints as part of ongoing operations to stabilise the region. While some locals have welcomed the increased security presence, others have expressed concerns about the prolonged tension and disruption caused by the conflict.
Security officials maintain that sustained operations are necessary to prevent militant groups from regrouping and to protect civilians living in areas previously affected by armed violence.
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