One Soldier Killed as Nigerian Army Storms Alleged ESN Camp in Abia, Recovers Weapons and Cash
In a fierce military operation against separatist insurgents, troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation UDO KA raided a suspected Eastern Security Network (ESN) camp in Ugwunagbo Local Government Area of Abia State, resulting in the death of one soldier and the recovery of weapons and cash.
The early morning raid on May 23, 2025, was carried out by six platoons comprising 49 soldiers each, according to a special situation report (SITREP) from 144 Battalion (Rear) obtained by SaharaReporters on Friday.
The heavily coordinated assault was led by the unit commander and supported by one Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), a gun truck, and six Hilux vehicles.
Acting on actionable intelligence, the troops advanced into the Ebubengwa/Abayi Nchokoro community, identified as a stronghold of the ESN, the armed wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The military reportedly dismantled the militants’ camp, neutralizing threats and seizing several items, including weapons and cash, believed to be proceeds of illicit operations.
The operation, however, came at a cost as one Nigerian soldier was killed in the line of duty during the gun battle that ensued. While the Army has not yet released the identity of the fallen soldier, tributes have begun to pour in from colleagues and military supporters online.
Though the Nigerian Army is yet to issue an official statement, the SITREP describes the mission as a “successful operation” aimed at “disrupting and degrading the operational capability of criminal separatist elements in the South-East.”
This latest offensive underscores the ongoing efforts by the Nigerian military to restore peace and security in the region, where clashes between state forces and separatist militants have continued to escalate.
The operation follows a series of military crackdowns on camps allegedly run by the ESN, as part of a broader national security directive aimed at stamping out violent secessionist threats.
