From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Army Headquarters in Abuja said its soldiers on internal security operations in the South East part of the country have killed two members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in a fierce gun battle along Orlu – Orsu in Imo State.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, who made the disclosure in a statement, said the soldiers arrested four others and recovered one AK 47 rifle, two magazines, one police grenade launcher, two Baofeng communication radios, five mobile phones, one IPOB beret, two motorcycles, four SIM cards, five wallets containing different ID cards, afrodisiac, charms and N16,460.00 from the suspects.
Nwachukwu’s statement reads: “Troops of 34 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army (NA) have neutralised two gun men and arrested four other members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN), in a fierce gun battle along Orlu – Orsu Road on 25 April 2022.
The troops, while on routine patrol, made contact with elements of IPOB/ESN around the general area of Aluminium Company and All Saints Church. On sighting the patrol team, the criminal elements opened fire and launched a grenade attack on the troops.
The vigilant troops responded with superior firepower neutralising two of the criminal elements, compelling others to flee in disarray.”
Preliminary investigation on the suspects’ mobile phones reveals gory pictures and videos depicting scenes of cold blooded murders, corpses displayed in shrines and other heinous atrocities committed by the criminals.