By Ele Wada
Deep inside the Ajali Forest in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, the imprint of sustained military action is unmistakable. Felled trees, freshly carved tracks and deserted camps now dot what security officials describe as a former stronghold of armed groups operating along the Enugu–Anambra axis.
Defence correspondents, who were taken on a guided tour of parts of the forest, observed first-hand the scale of operations by troops of the Nigerian Army aimed at flushing out suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Speaking at the operation site, the Commanding Officer of the 103 Battalion (Rear), Major Abdulrahman Buhari, said the clearance became imperative after credible intelligence revealed that criminal elements had converted the forest into a staging ground for attacks, kidnappings and cross-border movements between Enugu and neighbouring Anambra State.
“Ajali forest serves as a natural link between Enugu and Anambra states, and these criminals took advantage of the difficult terrain to establish a safe haven,” Buhari said. He explained that Ezeagu falls under Sector 1 of Operation UDO KA, which has responsibility for security across the 17 local government areas of Enugu State.
According to him, the operation, which commenced on December 30, 2025, remains ongoing, with troops steadily advancing deeper into the forest to dismantle camps and restrict the mobility of armed groups. He disclosed that no fewer than eight IPOB/ESN camps had so far been located, cleared and destroyed.
Journalists were shown several cleared corridors where soldiers deployed bulldozers and chainsaws to open up access routes, a deliberate tactic designed to prevent the forest from being reclaimed as a hideout. Troops also neutralised explosive devices planted along paths within the forest, a move aimed at safeguarding civilians and security personnel.
Major Buhari further revealed that items recovered during the operation included 197 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, five motorcycles allegedly used by the armed groups, as well as materials for the fabrication of improvised explosive devices.
Beyond the immediate security gains, the operation underscores the Nigerian Army’s broader effort to restore normalcy to rural communities long affected by insecurity. Residents of nearby villages had complained of limited access to farmlands and persistent fear arising from abductions and the activities of armed non-state actors.
The Ajali Forest clearance, Buhari noted, is part of a wider security push by the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army across the South-East and parts of Cross River State, as troops intensify efforts to deny criminal elements any foothold in the region.