KEY POINTS

•  Nigerian Army troops discovered two homemade explosive devices in Umuchinma forest, Abia State.
• The explosives were found during a security operation targeting criminal groups in the area.
• The Army says patrols are continuing to ensure the safety of residents and infrastructure.

Troops of the Nigerian Army under the 14 Brigade in Ohafia, Abia State, have discovered explosives hidden inside a forest in Umuchinma community, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area.

The discovery of the explosives was made during intensified security operations aimed at flushing out criminal elements linked to the banned Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network.

The operation forms part of the Army’s ongoing campaign to secure the area and prevent attacks on residents and critical infrastructure.

According to the Army, the operation followed credible intelligence that led troops to the forest along the Umuchinma pipeline route, where the explosives had been planted.

Army says operation followed intelligence, more searches ongoing

In a statement issued on Monday, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 14 Brigade, Captain Mazinho Atta, said the explosives were uncovered on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at about 9:00 a.m. during clearance patrols.

He explained that two improvised explosive devices were found and safely secured. The devices were locally made using 5kg gas cylinders packed with nails, water-gel explosives, detonators, and electrical cables.

Further search of the area led to the recovery of four empty bullet shells and two bags filled with nails, believed to have been intended for use in making more explosives. Troops also cleared a camp used by the suspects operating in the forest.

Captain Atta said the success of the operation was aided by information provided by a suspect currently under investigation, who had earlier confessed to having technical knowledge of explosive construction.

The Brigade Commander, Brigadier General A.M. Dikko, praised the troops for their professionalism and alertness. He assured residents that while the area remains generally calm, security forces are maintaining high vigilance due to the unpredictable nature of the threat. He added that clearance operations in the forest are still ongoing.