Mathew Amaechi
A Nigerian Army soldier attached to Operation Udoka was killed by suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) after he allegedly sneaked out of his duty post to attend a strippers’ party in Anambra State. The incident, which occurred on the evening of Saturday, May 18, 2025, marks the latest escalation in a wave of violence targeting security forces in Nigeria’s restive Southeast region.
The soldier, whose identity remains undisclosed, was stationed at the Forward Operating Base in Uli as part of Operation Udoka, a Defence Headquarters-led security initiative. According to a security source, the soldier abandoned his post during a tactical operation and attended a party titled “Ladies’ Jamboree” at a nearby hotel while still wearing his military camouflage uniform. Suspected IPOB fighters affiliated with its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), reportedly accosted and fatally shot him.
Troops later recovered his lifeless body alongside that of a baby, though the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death remain unclear. The soldier’s weapon was retrieved and is now in military custody. Efforts to reach Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, for comment were unsuccessful, as his phone was switched off.
This killing is part of a surge in attacks on security personnel in the Southeast, where IPOB and ESN have been accused of waging a violent campaign against state forces. Reports say that over 20 security operatives have been targeted in similar incidents since early 2025. IPOB, however, has consistently denied involvement in violence, framing itself as a peaceful movement advocating for Biafran self-determination.
The Nigerian government proscribed IPOB as a terrorist organization in 2017, a move the group has condemned as unconstitutional, citing a 2017 court ruling that found no evidence of its illegality. Amnesty International has documented widespread human rights abuses by Nigerian security forces in the region, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and torture, further fueling tensions.
IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, dismissed the military’s narrative, calling recent claims of killing 13 IPOB members “fake and illusionary.” In a Facebook post, IPOB accused the Nigerian Army of colluding with Fulani militants to destabilize the Southeast and justify crackdowns. The group also reiterated that ESN operates as a vigilante force to combat alleged Fulani herdsmen attacks, not as insurgents.
The Southeast has become a hotspot for clashes between security forces and separatist groups. Residents report mixed perceptions: some view military operations as suppression of Igbo rights, while others see them as necessary to curb rising insecurity. Meanwhile, IPOB’s sit-at-home orders and enforcement tactics have drawn criticism for exacerbating civilian suffering.
Human rights organizations and regional stakeholders have urged the Nigerian government to pursue non-combative solutions. A 2022 UK government report noted that secessionist grievances stem from perceived marginalization, advocating for dialogue over militarization. However, with IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu still facing terrorism charges, prospects for reconciliation remain bleak.
