In ongoing operations to deter enforcement of the illegal sit-at-home order declared by a Biafra secessionist, Simon Ekpa, combined troops of 82 Division Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, raided hideouts and training camps belonging to Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Orsomoghu Forest spanning Anambra and Imo States.
The raid was carried out on Monday after troops were alerted to the violent activities of the terrorist group enforcing the illegal two weeks sit-at-home order in Onitsha, Nnewi, and Iheme Obosi in Anambra State, as well as New Market in Enugu State.
While clearing their camps in Ekeututu, Orsomoghu, Lilu, and Mother Valley camps., the terrorists engaged the team in a gun battle.
“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 tubes. The valiant troops however overpowered the irredentist group in the firefight, compelling them to abandon their position as they fled with gunshot wounds into nearby bushes,” Director, of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said.
Sadly, five soldiers and two Police operatives sustained varying degrees of injuries from the IED detonated by the criminals.
While combing the hideouts, the troops also arrested five fleeing members of the group and recovered one IPOB flag, one CCTV camera and two detonated IED bombs and a fabricated mortar tube.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has encouraged residents in the South East to disregard the unlawful sit-at-home order and go about their normal daily activities and businesses as security agencies remain undaunted in protecting their lives and properties.
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