Army Destroys IPOB Ritual Shrine, Arrests Three In Abia
Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation UDO KA have destroyed a shrine allegedly used for ritual activities by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, during a raid on suspected criminal hideouts in Olokoro, Abia State, arresting three suspects linked to kidnapping and ritual activities.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Lt. Col. Olabisi Ayeni, said the operation was carried out by troops of 14 Brigade as part of Operation Eastern Sanity aimed at restoring security in the South-East.
Ayeni said the troops, acting on credible intelligence, stormed several hideouts in the forested areas of Olokoro on March 11, 2026, believed to be used by suspected kidnappers and ritualists operating with IPOB and ESN.
He said, “During the operation, a shrine employed for IPOB/ESN ritual activities and fortification was uncovered and subsequently destroyed in order to deny the criminals any sanctuary.”
According to him, three suspects in their 20s and 30s were arrested during the raid.
Ayeni noted that the suspects had been on the watch-list of security agencies over alleged involvement in sacrifices, murder and the exploitation of kidnap victims for rituals.
Items recovered during the operation included identity cards, ATM cards, empty ammunition cases, a motorcycle, a bag containing suspected illicit substances, mobile phones and machetes believed to have been used in their criminal activities.
The army spokesman added that the clearance operation was ongoing as troops continued combing the Olokoro forest and surrounding areas in search of other camps linked to kidnappers and ritualists, as well as the recovery of arms and ammunition.
“The clearance operation is still ongoing as troops continue combing the Olokoro forest general area in search of other camps, in pursuit of other kidnappers and ritualists and recovery of arms, ammunition and other items used for their nefarious activities,” Ayeni said.
He added that the Nigerian Army remained committed to sustaining pressure on criminal networks threatening peace and security across Abia State and the wider South-East region.
Ayeni also urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation was vital to dismantling criminal syndicates and restoring lasting peace.
