BREAKING: Army troops recover remains of slain imo community leader, promise justice

Crime Diary

OWERRI, Nigeria (NPA) — Troops of 34 Artillery Brigade operating under Operation UDO KA have recovered and exhumed the remains of a community leader allegedly murdered by a criminal gang in Imo State.

The Nigerian Army disclosed this on Monday, in a statement signed by Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, saying the operation formed part of the ongoing Operation EASTERN SANITY II, aimed at dismantling criminal networks across the South-East.

According to the Army, the remains of the late Chief Ibe Anyadu of Aggah Community were recovered following intelligence-led operations that recently led to the arrest of suspected criminals linked to violent crimes in the region.

The Army said the arrests were made during investigations into the killing of a Nigerian Army soldier and the recovery of stolen military weapons.

During interrogation, one of the suspects reportedly confessed to participating in the murder of the community leader and volunteered to lead troops to the burial site.

Acting on the information, troops on August 2 were led to a shallow grave inside Umudike Forest, identified as one of the criminal gang’s camps, where the remains of Chief Anyadu were successfully exhumed.

The Army said the exhumation 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 facilitate the dignified burial of the deceased in accordance with local customs and traditions.

Reacting to the development, the Commander of the Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA, Major General Oluremi Ayobami Fadairo, expressed condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the peaceful repose of the late community leader.

He assured the family and the people of Aggah Community that justice would be served, stressing that the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Army reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing peace-building efforts in the South-East, saying it would continue to dismantle criminal networks, bring perpetrators of violent crimes to justice and ensure that victims’ families obtain closure through lawful processes.

It also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to enhance ongoing security operations across the region.