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Army recovers abducted Imo community leader’s remains from forest grave
Nigerian Army troops operating in Imo State have recovered the remains of abducted community leader, Chief Ibe Anyadu, from a shallow forest grave.
Army recovers abducted Imo community leader’s remains from forest grave
August 4, 2026 12:05 am
File photo: Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma
By Uche Okere
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Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade, Owerri, operating under Operation UDO KA as part of Operation Eastern Sanity II, have uncovered a shallow grave and exhumed the remains of a missing community leader, Chief Ibe Anyadu, in Imo State.
The acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Lt. Col. Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.
According to the Army, Chief Anyadu, a community leader from Aggah in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, was kidnapped and murdered by a criminal gang before being buried in a shallow grave in the Umudike Forest.
Ayeni said the discovery followed recent intelligence-led operations that resulted in the arrest of suspects linked to the killing of a Nigerian Army soldier and the recovery of stolen service weapons.
He explained that during interrogation, one of the suspects confessed to participating in the murder of the community leader and led troops to the burial site.
“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 carried out in the presence of the deceased’s family, vigilante personnel from Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, and representatives of the Aggah and Umudike communities. Family members provided a coffin and an ambulance to facilitate a dignified burial in accordance with local customs.
• Lawyer urges police, EFCC, Army to adopt DSS compensation model
• Army appoints new GOC of 2 Division in Oyo
• Army recovers slain Imo community leader’s remains from shallow grave
The Army reiterated that Operation UDO KA remained committed to dismantling criminal networks, bringing perpetrators of violent crimes to justice, and ensuring that victims’ families receive closure through lawful processes.
It also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations across the South-East.
Meanwhile, the Commander of the Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA, Maj. Gen. Oluremi Fadairo, assured the family of the deceased and the people of Aggah community that those arrested would be prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Fadairo also extended his condolences to the family of the late community leader and prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul.
The latest breakthrough comes amid sustained military operations across the South-East aimed at dismantling armed groups blamed for a wave of attacks, kidnappings and killings in the region.
Imo State, particularly parts of Ohaji/Egbema and neighbouring local government areas, has witnessed repeated security operations targeting criminal camps hidden in forests, with security agencies intensifying intelligence-led raids to restore public safety and apprehend those responsible for violent crimes.
Uche Okere
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August 4, 2026 12:05 am
File photo: Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma
By Uche Okere
Kindly share this story:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade, Owerri, operating under Operation UDO KA as part of Operation Eastern Sanity II, have uncovered a shallow grave and exhumed the remains of a missing community leader, Chief Ibe Anyadu, in Imo State.
The acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Lt. Col. Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.
According to the Army, Chief Anyadu, a community leader from Aggah in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, was kidnapped and murdered by a criminal gang before being buried in a shallow grave in the Umudike Forest.
Ayeni said the discovery followed recent intelligence-led operations that resulted in the arrest of suspects linked to the killing of a Nigerian Army soldier and the recovery of stolen service weapons.
He explained that during interrogation, one of the suspects confessed to participating in the murder of the community leader and led troops to the burial site.
“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 carried out in the presence of the deceased’s family, vigilante personnel from Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, and representatives of the Aggah and Umudike communities. Family members provided a coffin and an ambulance to facilitate a dignified burial in accordance with local customs.
• Lawyer urges police, EFCC, Army to adopt DSS compensation model
• Army appoints new GOC of 2 Division in Oyo
• Army recovers slain Imo community leader’s remains from shallow grave
The Army reiterated that Operation UDO KA remained committed to dismantling criminal networks, bringing perpetrators of violent crimes to justice, and ensuring that victims’ families receive closure through lawful processes.
It also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations across the South-East.
Meanwhile, the Commander of the Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA, Maj. Gen. Oluremi Fadairo, assured the family of the deceased and the people of Aggah community that those arrested would be prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Fadairo also extended his condolences to the family of the late community leader and prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul.
The latest breakthrough comes amid sustained military operations across the South-East aimed at dismantling armed groups blamed for a wave of attacks, kidnappings and killings in the region.
Imo State, particularly parts of Ohaji/Egbema and neighbouring local government areas, has witnessed repeated security operations targeting criminal camps hidden in forests, with security agencies intensifying intelligence-led raids to restore public safety and apprehend those responsible for violent crimes.
Uche Okere
Kindly share this story:
•
•
•
•
•
•
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]
NEWS UPDATE: Nigerians can now earn as much as $15,000- $25,000 with premium domains. You decide if you want payment in Naira or US Dollars. Be sure to ask for evidence and proof of people benefitting daily from this.
CLICK HERE TO START.
Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!
Join The Punch Newspapers Channel
Stay in the know—fast. Get instant alerts, breaking headlines, and exclusive stories with the Punch News App. Download now and never miss a beat.
Get the Punch News App
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