Soldiers kill IPOB operatives in Anambra forest, recover arms, animations .

 

Soldiers kill IPOB operatives in Anambra forest, recover arms, animations .

Nkiru Nwagbo, Awka

Operatives of the Nigerian Army have allegedly dislodged operatives of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the military arm of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

It was gathered that the operation was carried out in collaboration with other security agencies, and was able to dislodge a notorious stronghold of the proscribed group in a forest in Lilu community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Lilu is a border town between Imo and Anambra States, which is said to be used as an operational base of the outlawed group.

In a statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu stated that the operations, which was conducted in the early hours of Monday 17 January 2022, led to the neutralization of  some gunmen in a fire fight that ensued.

He said: “After dislodging the dissidents from their fortress, the dogged troops recovered 10 Pump Action Shotguns, two locally fabricated guns, one revolver pistol,  rounds of 7.62 mm special, live cartridges, machetes and IPOB flags. Other items recovered are mobile phones, laptops amongst other dangerous weapons.

 "The operation was jointly conducted by  troops of 82 Division, Nigerian Navy, 211 Quick Response Group of the Nigerian Air Force,  Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police. It was a well coordinated dawn attack on the fortress, where plans were been perfected to violently enforce the illegitimate sit-at-home declaration by the irredentist groups,” Gen Nwachukwu said.