Troops of Operation UDO KA have recovered the remains of a community leader, Chief Ibe Anyadu of Aggah Community in Imo State, after exhuming his body from a shallow grave identified by a suspect allegedly linked to his killing.
The Punch reported that the Nigerian Army, in a statement issued on Monday, said the operation was executed by troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade as part of the ongoing Operation EASTERN SANITY II.
According to the Army, the discovery stemmed from intelligence-driven operations that recently led to the arrest of suspects connected to the killing of a Nigerian Army soldier and the recovery of stolen military weapons.
The statement explained that one of the arrested suspects admitted during interrogation that he participated in the murder of Chief Anyadu.
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.”
“Acting on the information, troops accompanied the suspect to a forest hideout where the late community leader’s body was found.
“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.
The Army said the exhumation was carried out in the presence of the deceased’s relatives, vigilante members from Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, as well as 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.
Commander of the Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA, Maj. Gen. Oluremi Fadairo, expressed condolences to the bereaved family and assured them that those behind the killing would be brought to justice.
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 reaffirmed its determination to dismantle criminal networks operating in the South-East and appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies with prompt and credible intelligence to sustain ongoing operations.
