The Nigerian Army and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) are disputing claims over items recovered during a recent military operation in Imo State.
IPOB accused the army of manipulating images released to the public, while the army countered that the group was spreading misinformation and altering metadata related to the photos.
In response, the army invited journalists and civil society organizations to a verification tour of Orsu-Eketutu Mother Valley and Orsu-Ihiteukwa in Imo to counter what it described as IPOB “propaganda.”
The controversy stems from images released by the army on March 12, 2026, showing improvised explosive devices allegedly recovered during operations in the communities. IPOB rejected the claim in a statement by its media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, calling the images “fake.”
The group alleged that the devices were manufactured elsewhere, including in Lagos, and falsely attributed to communities in Imo.
But the army, through its deputy director of public relations for the 82 Division, Olabisi Ayeni, maintained that the devices were recovered during the ongoing Operation Eastern Sanity carried out in Imo and Anambra State.
Ayeni said the geolocation details on the images were deliberately blurred for operational security reasons and not to conceal their origin, as claimed by IPOB supporters on social media.
Meanwhile, three years after the closure of the Lilu-Eketutu Road in Orsu Local Government Area due to insecurity, troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Udoka reopened the road over the weekend.
Residents had reportedly fled the area or been killed after armed groups occupied homes and farmlands along the route.
The army said the operation in Orsu-Eketutu Mother Valley and Orsu-Ihiteukwa was part of ongoing efforts to clear improvised explosive devices planted by criminal elements and to facilitate the safe return of displaced residents.
According to Ayeni, the joint operation involved personnel from the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
He said Operation Udoka continues to carry out coordinated clearance operations across parts of Imo and neighboring areas under Operation Eastern Sanity, with the aim of dismantling criminal hideouts and restoring normalcy to affected communities.
