The Nigerian Army troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade operating under Operation UDO KA have uncovered a shallow grave in Imo State and exhumed the remains of a community leader, Chief Ibe Anyadu of Aggah Community, who was allegedly murdered by suspected members of a criminal gang.
The Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the operation was carried out under the ongoing Operation Eastern Sanity II.
According to the statement, the breakthrough 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.
It said one of the suspects, during interrogation, confessed to participating in the murder of Chief Anyadu and subsequently led troops to the burial site.
The Army said the suspects on August 2 guided troops to a shallow grave in Umudike Forest, described as one of the gang’s camps, where the remains of the late community leader were exhumed.
It added that the exercise was witnessed by members of the deceased’s family, vigilante personnel from Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, and representatives of the Aggah and Umudike communities.
According to the statement, the family provided a coffin and an ambulance to enable the remains to be buried in line with their customs and traditions.
The 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.
“We assure the family and the people of Aggah Community that justice will be served, as the suspects will be prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Fadairo said.
The commander reaffirmed the military’s resolve to rid the South-East of criminal elements, saying, “Operation UDO KA remains committed to dismantling criminal networks, bringing perpetrators of violent crimes to justice, and ensuring that victims and their families receive closure through lawful processes.”
He also appealed to residents to continue supporting ongoing security operations with credible intelligence.
