By David Torough, Abuja

Troops of Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA launched a decisive assault on 26 February 2026, storming the notorious Mother Valley in Nkwere, Anambra State, long described by authorities as a stronghold of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

The Joint Task Force (JTF) South East—Operation UDO KA, comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps—advanced for over three hours through difficult terrain before penetrating and dominating the valley.

According to the statement, one IPOB member was neutralized during the exchange, while several others fled with gunshot wounds. Security forces said they recovered two pump-action guns, a locally fabricated firearm, a tear gas gun, seven gas cylinders, an electric kettle, and flags described as linked to extremist propaganda.

Troops also destroyed structures identified as the group’s “Supreme Headquarters,” including solar panels and a Mikano generator, which officials said were sustaining operations in the valley.
In a related action, two suspected IPOB members were arrested—one allegedly attempting to plant an improvised explosive device and another accused of spying on troop movements.

Security forces also recovered a KIA saloon car and a black Toyota Sequoia jeep from what they described as a terrorist car park within the valley.

The suspects are currently in custody for further investigation, while clearance operations continue in the area. Authorities said the operation underscores their resolve to dismantle armed groups and maintain security across the South East.

BearingPoint commissioned a new survey showing Germany and Austria still lead Europe in cash usage, defying the broader continental shift toward digital payments and card-based transactions across retail and services sectors.

The poll, conducted in December by YouGov, found that 73 per cent of respondents in Germany cited cash as their most frequently used payment method, rising from 69 per cent a year earlier.

In Austria, 71 per cent of participants said they regularly paid with banknotes and coins, confirming the country’s continued preference for physical currency in spite of growing availability of digital and contactless alternatives.

By contrast, cash usage declined across the seven other European countries surveyed, highlighting a widening divide between German-speaking nations and much of the rest of Europe in payment preferences.

In Switzerland, 61 per cent of respondents reported often using cash, followed by 58 per cent in Ireland, 51 per cent in France and 46 per cent in the Netherlands.

Northern European countries demonstrated the lowest reliance on physical currency, reflecting more advanced digital infrastructure and stronger consumer adoption of mobile wallets, cards and instant electronic payment systems.

Only 25 per cent of respondents in Sweden said they frequently used cash, compared with 32 per cent in Denmark and 42 per cent in Finland.

More than a quarter of Swedes said they never used cash, while 18 per cent of Danes reported the same, underscoring the rapid shift toward fully digital payment ecosystems.

In Germany and Austria, by comparison, only 2 per cent and 1 per cent of respondents respectively said they did not use cash at all.

Across all nine countries surveyed, 37 per cent of respondents said it was certain or very likely they would stop using cash entirely within the next decade.

The survey also revealed limited public awareness of the proposed digital euro project currently under discussion among eurozone policymakers and financial institutions across the region.

Around one-third of respondents in eurozone countries said they had not heard of the initiative being developed by the European Central Bank, which could launch as early as 2029.

Eurozone monetary authorities had repeatedly stressed that the digital euro would complement, rather than replace, physical cash, aiming to preserve consumer choice while modernising Europe’s payments infrastructure.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is due to testify before the U.S. Congress on Thursday relating to the scandal surrounding sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Initially, Hillary Clinton, 78, is expected to testify under oath on Thursday, before her husband and former president Bill Clinton, 79, is questioned on Friday.

According to US media, they will be questioned not in Congress in Washington, but via video link.

These are expected to be closed sessions, so it is unclear how much information will be made public.

Hillary and Bill Clinton refused for months to testify before the U.S. Congress in the investigation of the Epstein case.

The Democrats accused the Republican chairman of the relevant House oversight committee, James Comer, of conducting a politically motivated process.

According to U.S. media reports, their agreement to testify in early February led to the Republicans cancelling a vote on a contempt of Congress procedure against the Clintons.

Bill Clinton’s name and pictures of him appear in documents related to the Epstein investigations.

However, a mention in itself means nothing.

The former president has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in connection with his acquaintance with Epstein.

Epstein operated an abuse ring for years, victimising dozens of young women and minors.

The New York financier had excellent connections in U.S. high society.

He died in his prison cell in 2019, before a conviction could have been reached.

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