A joint security team has raided hideouts and training camps of the Indigenous People of Biafra/ Eastern Security Network IPOB/ESN in Orsumoghu Forest spanning Anambra and Imo States.
The Director of the Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja, saying the combined troops of 82 Division, Nigerian Army, sister Services, Nigeria Police and other security agencies cleared IPOB camps in Ekeututu, Orsumoghu, Lilu and Mother Valley camps of the dissidents during the operation
Nwachukwu said the raid was in continuation of ongoing operations to stop enforcement of the illegal sit-at-home order IPOB and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), declares in the South East.
He said the raid operation was carried out on Monday when troops were alerted of the violent activities of the outlawed group enforcing the illegal two weeks sit-at-home order in Onitsha, Nnewi and Iheme Obosi in Anambra State, as well as at New Market in Enugu state.
According to him, troops came in contact with the group’s armed fighters, who detonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), also known as Ogbunigwe, and fired using locally-fabricated mortar tube.
Nwachukwu said the troops overpowered the terrorists, compelling them to flee with gunshot wounds into nearby bushes.
“Further cordon and search of the hideouts by the troops led to the arrest of five members of the group and recovery of one IPOB flag, one CCTV camera and two detonated IED bombs and a fabricated mortar tube.
“Sadly, five soldiers and two Nigeria Police operatives sustained varying degrees of injuries from the IED detonated by the criminals.
“The Nigerian Army encourages all law- abiding citizens of the South East to continue to support ongoing operations with actionable information and to disregard the unlawful two-week sit-at-home order by going about their normal daily activities and businesses.
“The Nigerian army, in synergy with sister services and security agencies, will undauntedly continue to protect and safeguard lives and property of the good and enterprising people of South East Nigeria, within the ambit of the law and the rules of engagement,” he said.
