The Nigerian Army has announced the discovery of locally fabricated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) during a clearance operation conducted by troops of the 14 Brigade, Ohafia, along the Umuchima pipeline route leading into a forest in Abia State.
The operation, carried out on February 8, 2026, resulted in the recovery of two locally made IEDs constructed with 5kg gas cylinders, nails, water-gel explosives, two detonators, and electrical cables.
The development was disclosed in a press statement issued by the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 14 Brigade, Captain Mazinho Attah.
According to the Army, the clearance operation formed part of intensified efforts to curb criminal activities linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) within the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility.
The statement explained that at about 9:00 a.m. on the day of the operation, troops discovered the explosive devices while conducting routine clearance along the Umuchima pipeline route leading into the forest.
Further exploitation of the area led to the recovery of four empty cartridge cases and two bags containing nails. Troops also successfully cleared a camp reportedly used by criminal elements operating within the forest.
“The success followed credible intelligence provided by a suspect currently under investigation, who earlier confessed to being a subject expert,” the statement said.
The Brigade Commander, Brigadier General A. M. Dikko, expressed satisfaction with the professionalism, resilience, and doggedness displayed by the troops during the operation.
The Army added that further exploitation of the Umuchima Forest is ongoing. While noting that the general security situation within the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility remains calm, it cautioned that it is still unpredictable, stressing that troops are maintaining maximum vigilance to forestall any threat to lives and critical infrastructure.
