In a significant breakthrough, the Joint Security Task Force in Imo State, operating under the name Operation Udoka, has uncovered shallow graves in Aku Community, Okigwe Local Government Area.

These graves are believed to have been used by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), to bury their victims.

The discovery was made during an intensive clearance operation aimed at dismantling the group’s hold over the region.

READ ALSO: IPOB Calls For Ban On Miyetti Allah, Open Grazing To Curb ESN Operations

The operation, which focused on areas controlled by suspected IPOB leader Ifeanyi Okorienta, alias ‘Gentle,’ also resulted in the seizure of stolen vehicles, arms, ammunition, and explosive devices.

Okorienta is reportedly responsible for a range of violent crimes in the area, including kidnappings and killings.

Brigadier General Usman Lawal, Commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze, visited the scene alongside Imo State Commissioner of Police Aboki Danjuma and the Governor’s Special Adviser on Security Joseph Ogbonna.

In a joint statement, Brig-Gen. Lawal highlighted the importance of the operation, declaring, “The clearance operation at Aku community is part of our determination to end the terror and insecurity caused by IPOB and its affiliate, ESN.”

During the assessment, Lawal confirmed that 20 individuals had been arrested and were in police custody.

He also appealed to the community for cooperation, saying, “We urge the people of the community to collaborate with security operatives to sustain peace and stability in the area.”

The Aku community, bordering Abia State, has long been a hotbed of criminal activity attributed to IPOB members.

Security forces believe that the operation’s success will bring much-needed relief to the area, particularly as the holiday season approaches.

“The liberation of this area will bring relief to the indigenes and restore peace as we move towards the Yuletide period,” a senior security officer stated. The operation marks a major step in the state’s efforts to curb the violent activities of IPOB and ESN.

Zamfara State has been rocked by a devastating bomb explosion, leaving six dead and eight others injured.

The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, took place along the Mai Lamba axis of the Dansadau-Gusau road, within the Maru Local Government Area of the state.

The explosives, believed to have been planted by terrorists locally known as “bandits,” caused a Volkswagen Golf 3 vehicle to detonate, resulting in fatalities and severe injuries to the passengers.

READ MORE: Gunmen Abduct Catholic Priest Along Enugu Road Despite Security Checkpoints

Residents of Dansadau reported that the bomb was placed on the road that connects their community to other parts of Zamfara.

Abdullahi Dansadau, a local, described the scene, stating, “It was this morning, one Golf 3 vehicle stepped on the bomb and exploded. We have six dead bodies here now and eight others sustained injuries. The vehicle was destroyed completely.”

In the wake of the attack, the Nigerian Army’s 1 Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Timothy Opurum, confirmed the incident. He stated that he had directed troops from Operation Fansan Yamma to the scene for further assessment and response.

However, he mentioned that he was yet to receive complete details about the attack.

This latest act of violence by bandits in Zamfara adds to the ongoing insecurity in the region, where armed groups have continued to terrorize local communities, causing numerous casualties and widespread destruction of property.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has demanded the immediate release of human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, following his arrest over allegations of libel.

The NBA also condemned the reported invasion of Farotimi’s law firm, describing the actions of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) as a violation of the rule of law and an assault on the independence of the legal profession.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) criticized the police for allegedly harassing lawyers and staff at Farotimi’s office and confiscating their phones during the operation.

READ ALSO: 26 Injured As Protests Against Georgian Gov’t Intensify

“These actions constitute a troubling breach of the rule of law and the sanctity of the legal profession,” Osigwe said.

The NBA emphasized that libel is no longer a criminal offence under Lagos State law.

According to the association, the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011 repealed the criminalization of defamation, aligning with international best practices that classify defamation as a civil matter.

“We must reiterate that the alleged offence of libel, for which Dele Farotimi was reportedly arrested, is not recognized as a criminal offence under the laws of Lagos State,” the statement read.

The NBA also referenced a 2021 Supreme Court decision in Aviomoh v. Commissioner of Police & Anor, where Justice Helen Ogunwumiju affirmed that defamation ceased to be a criminal offence following the enactment of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

“This authoritative pronouncement leaves no room for doubt,” Osigwe added.

The NBA accused the police of acting beyond their legal authority by arresting Farotimi for an alleged non-criminal matter.

It cited the Police Act, 2020, which limits law enforcement actions to recognized criminal offences.

“Arresting individuals for non-criminal matters, such as defamation in Lagos State, is not only unlawful but also a blatant violation of the principles of legality and the rule of law,” the statement said.

The NBA also condemned the reported invasion of Farotimi’s law firm, describing it as an attack on the constitutional rights of lawyers and their clients.

“Of equal concern is the reported invasion of Dele Farotimi’s law firm and the harassment of lawyers and staff within the premises.

Reports that phones were confiscated from lawyers and staff during this invasion highlight a severe disregard for the sanctity of legal practice and the constitutional rights of individuals,” Osigwe stated.

The NBA demanded Farotimi’s immediate release and called for an investigation into the alleged misconduct by the police.

The association insisted that those responsible be held accountable and urged law enforcement agencies to prioritize fairness and respect for human rights in their operations.

“The legal profession is a cornerstone of justice and democracy, and any attempt to undermine its independence is a direct assault on the rule of law,” Osigwe said.