Troops of the Nigerian Army attached to the 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Abia State, have discovered improvised explosive devices in a forest at Umuchinma, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of the state.
The discovery was made during intensified operations aimed at curbing the activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network.
In a statement released on Monday, the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 14 Brigade, Captain Mazinho Atta, said the operation was part of ongoing activities ahead of the Brigade’s Operation EASTERN SANITY offensive.
According to him, on February 8, 2026, at about 9:00 am, troops conducting clearance operations along the Umuchinma pipeline route leading into the forest uncovered two IEDs.
He said the devices were locally fabricated using 5kg gas cylinders, nails, water-gel explosives, two detonators and electrical cables.
Atta added that further exploitation of the area led to the recovery of four empty cartridge cases and two bags filled with nails.
“The troops also successfully cleared a camp belonging to the criminal elements. This success followed credible intelligence provided by a suspect currently under investigation, who had earlier confessed to being a subject-matter expert,” the statement said.
The Brigade Commander, Brigadier General A.M. Dikko, commended the troops for their professionalism, resilience and determination, noting that further clearance operations in Umuchinma Forest were ongoing.
He assured that although the security situation within the Brigade’s area of responsibility remained calm, it was still unpredictable, stressing that troops were maintaining maximum vigilance.
Improvised Explosive Devices are locally manufactured bombs commonly used by terrorists, insurgents and criminal groups to inflict damage, cause casualties or create fear through asymmetric warfare.
Typically made up of an initiator, power source, switch and main explosive charge, IEDs are highly adaptable and can range from small, easily concealed devices to large vehicle-borne explosives capable of causing extensive destruction.
