ARMY RECOVERS SLAIN IMO COMMUNITY LEADER’S REMAINS FROM SHALLOW GRAVE

Troops of Operation UDO KA have exhumed the remains of a community leader, Chief Ibe Anyadu of Aggah Community in Imo State, from a shallow grave after a suspect allegedly involved in his murder led security operatives to the burial site.

The Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the operation was carried out by troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade under the ongoing Operation EASTERN SANITY II.

According to the Army, the breakthrough followed intelligence-led operations that recently resulted in the arrest of suspects linked to the killing of a Nigerian Army soldier and the recovery of stolen service weapons.

The statement said one of the suspects confessed during interrogation to participating in the murder of the community leader.

It read, “This development follows recent intelligence-driven operations that led to the arrest of suspects responsible for the killing of a Nigerian Army soldier and the recovery of stolen service weapons.

“During interrogation, one of the suspects confessed to involvement in the murder of Chief Anyadu and volunteered to lead troops to the burial site.”

The Army said the suspect subsequently led troops to a forest camp where the remains were recovered.

“On 2 August 2026, the suspects guided troops to a shallow grave within Umudike Forest, one of the criminals’ known camps, where the remains of the late community leader was successfully exhumed,” it added.

It 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.

“The exhumation was conducted in the presence of the deceased’s family members, vigilante personnel from Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, and representatives of Aggah and Umudike communities.

“The family provided a coffin and ambulance to ensure a dignified burial in accordance with their customs and traditions,” the release noted.

The Commander, Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA, Maj. Gen. Oluremi Fadairo, sympathised with the family and assured them that those responsible would face prosecution.

It read, “He further assured 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.”

The Army reiterated its commitment to dismantling criminal networks in the South-East and urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations.