Troops Reopen Road Shut For Years, Dismantle Alleged IPOB Bomb Factory in Imo

Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army have reopened the Lilu–Eketutu Road linking communities on the boundary of Anambra State and Imo State after it was abandoned for over three years due to insecurity linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network.

The operation was carried out in collaboration with personnel of the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

This was disclosed in a statement on Friday by Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 82 Division Nigerian Army in Enugu.

According to Ayeni, the operations were conducted in the Orsu–Eketutu Mother Valley and Orsu–Ihiteukwa areas as part of ongoing efforts to neutralise Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by criminal elements and to enable displaced residents to safely return to their communities.

He explained that on March 6, troops carried out a joint clearance operation along the Lilu–Eketutu Road, a key route serving as an economic and social lifeline for several communities in the area.

The road had remained deserted for more than three years following repeated threats and attacks attributed to IPOB/ESN militants.

During the operation, troops discovered multiple IEDs planted along sections of the road. The explosives were safely disconnected and recovered by Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists, allowing the route to be reopened for civilian movement.

In a related operation on March 11, troops conducted further clearance operations in the Orsu–Ihiteukwa area to secure major routes and enhance the return of displaced residents.

Ayeni said several IEDs detonated along the troops’ advance route during the mission. Despite the explosions, the troops continued the operation and subsequently uncovered what was described as an IPOB/ESN IED-making facility within the area.

Items recovered from the location included Biafran flags and insignia, rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, pipes used for priming IEDs, pistol magazines containing ammunition, double-barrel guns, CCTV cameras, electrical wires and other materials suspected to have been used in the fabrication of explosive devices.

Additional concealed IEDs were also discovered within the vicinity and were safely disconnected and destroyed by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team.

The army spokesman reiterated that the Nigerian Army remains committed to sustaining operations against criminal networks threatening security in Imo, Anambra and across the South-East.

He urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation is essential for dismantling criminal syndicates and restoring lasting peace in the region.