By Joy Odor
Sector Commander, Colonel Kabiru Mohammed has assured that students taking the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) exams on Friday will be well-protected, despite the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)’s compulsory sit-at-home order on May 29th and 30th, 2025.
During a visit to the Theater of Operation Udo Ka in Orumba North,
Orsumorghu in Ihiala LGA, Colonel Mohammed emphasized that security agencies are working together to ensure the exams are conducted peacefully.
He stated that measures have been put in place to secure all exam centers, including those in high-risk areas.
The Sector Commander acknowledged IPOB’s intention to observe the sit-at-home order to commemorate their fallen heroes but vowed that security forces would not allow the group to disrupt the exams.
He assured that personnel have been deployed to patrol exam centers and conduct security checks to prevent any potential threats.
Colonel Mohammad emphasized that inter-agency collaboration has fortified efforts to secure examination centers against threats posed by IPOB’s compulsory sit-at-home directive scheduled for May 29 and 30th.
He also highlighted IPOB’s tactics of spreading panic through propaganda and violence, but emphasized that security agencies would not allow such tactics to succeed in the area.
Instead, the Colonel maintained, that they would ensure students would take their exams without fear or intimidation.
According to Mohammad, IPOB fighters have made repeated attempts to regain control of the liberated territories but were met with “stiff resistance and decisive defeat” by the military.
The military’s presence has significantly restored calm in the region, and the Commander reiterated the Army’s commitment to maintaining law and order while protecting civilians from extremist threats.
The Sector Commander narrated that they have successful flushing out of IPOB/ESN from various hideouts e.g. the present location where the FOB is occupying, troops deployment at borrowed pit along Rd Orsumoghu – Ukpor.
b. Rescue of a kidnap victim and recovery of 3 Pump Action rifles at Orsumoghu, Ihiala LGA by joint troops on 4 Mar 24.
“Our present location, Orsumorghu in Ihiala LGA has been the most active IPOB/ESN area in the state. This informed the choice of the location for establishing the FOB, which is the Sector’s Step-Up HQ under Op UDO KA.
“The purpose of this brief is to highlight to the Defence media team the activities of the FOB as the Step-Up HQ Sector 5 Op UDO KA conducted within the location of the FOB.
“The aim of this brief therefore, is to acquaint the Defence media team with the activities of FOB Orsumoghu for evaluation with a view to enhancing its operational efficiency.
“Since the occupation of the location, spirited efforts have been intensified by the IPOB criminals to dislodge troops from the location. This is because the location offers them easy access to the Onitsha – Owerri expressway and other areas where they carry out their criminalities.
“The FOB is saddled with the responsibilities of tackling the menace of unknown gunmen and the activities of the secessionist members of the proscribe IPOB/ESN within and around Ihiala LGA. The FOB carries out fighting, recce and confidence building patrols to communities within and around Ihiala LGA.
The FOB since its establishment has conducted a series of successful operations within its AOR. Most recent successes recorded by the troops of the FOB includes; Successful flushing out of IPOB/ESN from various hideouts e.g. the present location where the FOB is occupying, troops deployment at borrowed pit along Rd Orsumoghu – Ukpor.
b. Rescue of a kidnap victim and recovery of 3 Pump Action rifles at Orsumoghu, Ihiala LGA by joint troops on 4 Mar 24.
c. Recovery of a Pump Action rifle during a sniping operation at Borrow Pit in Orsumoghu, Ihiala LGA on 8 Mar 24.
d. Neutralization of 1 x IPOB/ESN member and recovery of 1 x AK 47 Rifle during clearance ops at Lilu in Ihiala LGA which led to the estb of FOB Lilu on 5 Sep 24.
e. Arrest of a POS vendor who operates as log supplier for IPOB/ESN members based on intel at Lilu in Ihiala LGA on 12 Sep 24.
f. Recovery of 26 IED Pipes, 11 water gel IDs, 3 x Solar CCTV
Cameras, 1 x 12.5 KG cylinder IED, 1 x Baofeng radio, 1 x Elema x SH 5300 EX 4.7KVA, Jerrican of acid and 3 x rolls of electric cables during clearance ops at Lilu Ihiala LGA on 20 Sep 24.
g. Neutralization of 1 x IPOB/ESN member during fighting patrol at Lilu in Ihiala LGA on 29 Sep 24.
h. Arrest of a suspected child trafficker and agent and recovery of 1 x MC and 1 x cellphone based on intel while on patrol at Orlu road, Ihiala LGA on 25 Aug 24.
i.Neutralization of 2 x IPOB/ESN criminals and recovery of double
barrel gun at Mbosi, Ihiala LGA by troops on patrol on 16 Nov 24.
The FOB has continued to maintain a cleared route along Rd
Orsumoghu – Azia and Rd Ukpor – Orsumoghu – Isseke.
J.Successful flushing out of IPOB/ESN terrorists from Mbosi and
Isseke, Ihiala LGA on 13 May 25.
k. clearance and detonation of several IED on RD Orsumoghu – Isseke in Ihala LGA from 4 – 15 May 25 Refilling of cut road along RD Orsumoghu – Isseke in Ihala LGA from 21 – 23 May 25.
m. arrest of IPOB/ESN IED material along Rd Ihiala – Orlu on the 7 may 25.
n. Successful clearance of IPOB/ESN terrorists along Rd Orsumoghu – Isseke and Rd Orsumoghu – Mbosi on 15 may 25.
.0 The FOB maintains a good relationship with the members the community, as a way of appreciating the good relationship with the community, a bore hole at FOB, was dug to curb the problem of water supply within the community and to foster good CIMIC” he said.
Colonel Kabiru concluded by opining that the activities of the FOB have immensely brought about relative peace and stability within the AOR and appreciated the defence media team on their visit to
FOB orsumoghu.
