Troops of Operation UDO KA have uncovered a secret grave in Imo State and exhumed the remains of a murdered community leader after an arrested suspect led them to the burial site.
The breakthrough was recorded by troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade under Operation UDO KA during the ongoing Operation EASTERN SANITY II.
The deceased, Chief Ibe Anyadu of Aggah Community, was allegedly murdered by members of a criminal gang recently arrested over a string of violent crimes in the South East.
The discovery followed intelligence driven operations that led to the arrest of suspects linked to the killing of a Nigerian Army soldier and the recovery of stolen service weapons. During interrogation, one of the suspects confessed to taking part in the killing of Chief Anyadu and volunteered to take troops to where his body had been buried.
On August 2, the suspect led troops to a shallow grave inside Umudike Forest, identified as one of the gang’s hideouts, where the remains of the late community leader were exhumed.
The exercise was witnessed by members of the deceased’s family, vigilante personnel from Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, as well as representatives of the Aggah and Umudike communities. The family provided a coffin and an ambulance to convey the remains for burial in line with local customs and traditions.
Commander of Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, Major General Oluremi Ayobami Fadairo, condoled with the family of the deceased and assured them that justice would be served.
He said the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In a statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, the military reiterated its commitment to dismantling criminal networks across the South East and bringing perpetrators of violent crimes to justice.
The statement added that Operation UDO KA would continue to sustain ongoing peace building efforts in the region and urged residents to support security agencies with timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations.