‎Army recovers remains of abducted Imo community leader from shallow grave inside forest

‎Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade, Owerri, operating under Operation UDO KA, have recovered the remains of a community leader, Chief Ibe Anyadu, from a shallow grave in a forest in Imo State.
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‎The Nigerian Army said the deceased, a leader from Aggah community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, was kidnapped, murdered and buried by a criminal gang in the Umudike Forest.
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‎The acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Lt. Col. Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.
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‎According to Ayeni, the discovery followed intelligence-led operations that led to the arrest of suspects linked to the killing of a Nigerian Army soldier and the recovery of stolen military weapons.
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‎He explained that during interrogation, one of the suspects confessed to participating in the killing of Chief Anyadu and subsequently led troops to the burial site.
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‎“On August 2, 2026, the suspects guided troops to a shallow grave within the Umudike Forest, one of the criminals’ known camps, where the remains of the late Chief Ibe Anyadu were successfully exhumed,” the statement 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.
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‎Family members reportedly provided a coffin and an ambulance to facilitate the burial of the late community leader in line with local customs and traditions.
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‎The Army reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling criminal networks operating in the South-East and ensuring that perpetrators of violent crimes are brought to justice.
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‎It also appealed to residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing security operations across the region.
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‎Meanwhile, the Commander of the Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA, Maj. Gen. Oluremi Fadairo, assured the family of the deceased and residents of Aggah community that all suspects arrested in connection with the crime would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
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‎Fadairo also extended his condolences to the family of Chief Anyadu and prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul.
‎The recovery of the remains comes amid intensified military operations across the South-East aimed at dismantling armed groups blamed for a series of attacks, kidnappings and killings in the region.
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