A daring joint operation involving the Imo State Police Command and allied security agencies dismantled multiple IPOB/ESN insurgent hideouts in Umuaka, Njaba LGA on August 18, 2025. The targeted raids triggered a fierce daylight gun battle that lasted several hours before the attackers were eventually overwhelmed and forced into retreat, According to Commissioner of Police Aboki Danjuma, who confirmed the development during a press briefing on Wednesday.
Security operatives recovered a chilling arsenal from the abandoned camp, including an AK-47 rifle fitted with three magazines, two pump-action guns, 40 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, 60 rounds for a GPMG machine gun, and no fewer than 582 loose cartridges. Among the spoils were two Biafra flags, a POS machine—potentially used to fund operations—and numerous other extremist paraphernalia.
“The armed criminals were subdued,” CP Danjuma said, describing how the insurgents, some wounded from return fire, fled into the surrounding forest. Authorities have launched a manhunt to apprehend the fleeing suspects, urging residents to report anyone exhibiting gunshot wounds or unusual behavior in their communities.
Local leaders and residents who witnessed the rescue operation praised the swift response, saying the raid restored hope amid growing fear of attacks in the Njaba corridor. “We can sleep better now,” declared a community head; residents echoed appreciation for the police’s renewed show of force.
Security analysts say the recovered weapons cache indicates an alarming escalation in sophistication and firepower. The presence of an AK-47 and GPMG rounds suggests the militants had begun shifting from rudimentary tools to high-caliber firearms capable of serious civilian harm.
CP Danjuma reiterated that the operation signals the state’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism, urging Imo citizens to remain vigilant and cooperative. He reminded them that “public safety is a shared responsibility,” particularly in areas bordering Oguta and Oru East, where insurgents often resurface.
The operation highlights a growing focus among Nigeria’s security agencies on dismantling extremist infrastructure rather than merely responding to attacks. With intelligence-driven raids like this gaining traction, hope is rising that the balance of power may finally shift back toward lawful order in Imo State.
