Controversy trails Nigerian Army operation in Enugu community as Intersociety makes fresh claims
Days after the Nigerian Army announced that it foiled an attack by suspected terrorists of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and Eastern Security Network ESN, at Imezi owa community, Ezeagu Local Government Area, Enugu State, rights groups have claimed that innocent villagers were affected by the operation.
Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, Lieutenant Colonel, Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, had in a statement issued on May 8, 2026, disclosed that troops of Sector 1, Operation UDO KA, in collaboration with other security agencies while on intelligence led patrol mission to Imezi owa community, foiled the alleged attack by IPOB ESN members.
According to him, while troops were advancing on foot to the community, they were attacked from a building, resulting in injuries to three personnel.
“Despite the attack, troops maintained operational dominance, foiled the attack and secured the general area, while the injured personnel were promptly evacuated. The wounded personnel are currently receiving treatment at a military medical facility,” he said in the statement.
There was also a follow-up statement where Ezeagu Council of Traditional Rulers commended the Army for the operation.
In a communique signed by HRH Igwe Emmanuel Anichebe, Chairman of the Council, and HRH Igwe Dr Rapheal Okolo, Secretary of the Council, they unequivocally condemned the unlawful attack on military personnel at Imezi Owa community.
However, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, Intersociety, has now claimed that innocent homes were affected by the military operation.
The report was jointly released by Intersociety and the South-East Civil Liberties Organisation, South-East CLO.
The rights groups claimed that at least ten civilian houses located within residential areas were burnt to ashes during the operation, while valuables including motorcycles, electronics and domestic animals were allegedly looted.
The report further alleged that the invasion followed years of tension between local communities and armed Fulani herdsmen accused of occupying forests and farmlands around the Ajali River Valley.
The report claimed that the military operation was triggered after local vigilantes were allegedly invited to a meeting by forest guards operating under the Enugu State Government, only to be disarmed by soldiers and accused of collaborating with members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The report stated that the vigilantes were subsequently forced to guide soldiers into forest areas around Ajali River Valley, where a gun battle reportedly broke out between troops and armed non-state actors believed to be ESN operatives.
However, the rights organisations insisted that the clashes occurred deep inside the forest and not within residential communities.
They alleged that after retreating from the forest, soldiers later stormed nearby villages where civilian homes were set ablaze in what they described as “collective punishment” against residents.
“The shooting incidents took place inside the Ajali River Forest Valley, more than two kilometres away from communal residential areas.
“Instead of returning to the forest battlefield, the soldiers invaded residential communities and launched attacks that resulted in the burning of homes and displacement of innocent civilians,” the report claimed.
Among those allegedly arrested during the operation was a teenage girl identified as Chisom Okafor, said to be between 15 and 17 years old.
According to the report, the teenager was looking after her aged grandmother when soldiers allegedly took her away and labelled her an “IPOB/ESN informant.”
Three other young men identified as Ndubuisi Chikelu, Thank God Chikelu and Chidi Nosike were also declared missing following the operation.
The groups alleged that while Chisom Okafor was later traced to a police detention facility in Enugu, the whereabouts of the three male youths remain unknown.
The report also claimed that the military operation forced hundreds of young residents to flee their homes for fear of arrest, disappearance or harassment.
Controversy trails Nigerian Army operation in Enugu community as Intersociety makes fresh claims
