Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Abia State, have discovered improvised explosive devices in a forest located at Umuchinma, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of the state.
The discovery was made known in a statement released on Monday by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 14 Brigade, Capt Mazinho Atta.
He explained that the operation was part of heightened efforts to tackle criminal activities associated with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, ahead of the Brigade’s ongoing Operation Eastern Sanity offensive.
According to the statement, soldiers on February 8, 2026, at about 9:00 am, while carrying out clearance operations along the Umuchinma pipeline route leading into the forest, uncovered two IEDs.
Atta stated that the explosive devices were locally produced using 5kg gas cylinders, nails, water-gel explosives, two detonators and electrical cables.
“Further exploitation of the area led to the recovery of four empty cartridge cases and two bags containing nails,” the statement read.
The statement added that the troops also dismantled a camp belonging to criminal elements operating in the area, following credible intelligence supplied by a suspect currently under investigation, who had earlier admitted to being a subject expert.
The Brigade Commander, Brig Gen A.M. Dikko, praised the troops for their professionalism, resilience and determination.
“Further exploitation of the Umuchinma Forest is ongoing,” Atta quoted the commander as saying.
He noted that although the overall security situation within the Brigade’s area of responsibility remained calm, it was “unpredictable,” adding that troops were sustaining maximum vigilance.
“Troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remain high and satisfactory,” the statement said.
