Troops neutralise 8 alleged IPOB, ESN members

Troops of the Joint Task Force South-East Operation UDOKA have neutralised at least eight members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

This is contained in a statement issued in Umuahia by the Spokesman for the task force, Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, and made available to newsmen on Monday.

Unuakhalu explained that the suspects were neutralised in separate operations carried out in Abia, Imo and Anambra.

According to him, four of them were neutralised while others escaped with gunshot wounds during the operations on Sunday in Umudi and Imuezeosuru Forest in Umuaku, Umunneochi Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia.

Unuakhalu also stated that the troops recovered some items from the camp, including one motorcycle, 16 live cartridges, 29 rounds of 5.7mm ammunition with the magazine, one fragmental jacket and two metal plates for fragmental jackets.

Others were two long range shells, two Boafeng radios, one jack knife, two machetes, two pairs of Nigerian Police uniforms, Police identity cards, torch light, shovels and ATM cards.

Also recovered in the camp that was razed down by the troops were three mobile phones and two notebooks containing the minutes of their meeting.

He added that the troops neutralised two of them and arrested two female suspects at Ekeututu, Ihiteukwa, Edenta, Awo-Idemili and Isseke Communities in Orsumoghu LGA of Imo and Ihiala LGA of Anambra, respectively.

Unuakhalu stated that the troops came across multiple road blocks and obstacles emplaced by the irredentists to deter troops’ movement.

“The gallant troops were able to clear the route of the obstacles and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) that were destroyed immediately,” he explained.

He further stated that the two others were neutralised on November 21, during similar operations conducted in Ekeututu, Ihitenansa, Amaruru, Assah Ubirielem, Ihioma, Umuhu-Ikabia, Amanachi, Amanukwo and Awo-Idemili Communities in Orsu LGA of Imo.

Unuakhalu added that an IED production factory was also discovered with different IED-making equipment.

The statement read in part: “At the early hours of today, November 25, troops conducted a clearance operation in Imo River in Isiala-Ngwa North of Abia.

“During the operations, troops came in contact with the terrorist group, which fled in disarray and abandoned their camp due to superior fire power.

“Troops ransacked the camp and recovered a Toyota Hilux, three motorcycles, a dane gun, one sword, three pairs of Nigeria Police camouflage uniform, one fragmental jacket, and radio chargers.

“Other items include two six-kilogram gas cylinders, three registered number plates, three ATM cards, driver’s licence and food stuffs, while the camp was destroyed immediately.”

The statement quoted the task force Commander, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, to have urged well-meaning citizens to embrace peace and dialogue as a tool for maintaining peace and stability in the South-East.”