According to the Nigerian Army, Tochukwu Aka Ojoto, a commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Eastern Security Network (ESN) was slain by the troops in Imo State.
The military claimed that the ESN commander's death occurred after the IPOB/ESN stronghold at Mother Valley was captured; it also claimed that the criminal elements had been attempting to set up other camps in the surrounding area and other locations.
A statement from the army said that on Monday, May 6, 2024, troops of the Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA cleared the general area of Udda, Ihittukwa, and Orsumoghu in the state's Orsu Local Government Area based on credible intelligence.
According to a report by Daily Trust on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, Terrorists who were fully prepared to obstruct the troops' advance with homemade explosives were confronted by the troops during the special clearance operations, according to the statement report.
The statement said “Four of the irredentists were neturalised and others escaped with gunshot wounds."