Joint troops of 82 Division Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Police have neutralised three combatants of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Abia state
Director Army Public Relations, Brig-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement issued Monday said the IPOB members were killed in a fierce encounter that ensued during a clearance operation in the early hours of Monday at Igboro Forest, between Arochukwu and Ohafia Local Government Areas of Abia state.
He added that on winning the fire-fight, the troops wasted no time destroying several hideous camps used by members of the groups to perpetrate heinous crimes.
Nwachukwu said: “The camps were uncovered, after several weeks of credible surveillance revealed that IPOB/ESN were using the forest as a combat training ground for their members and as a base for planning and launching attacks on targeted civilians, security operatives and government facilities in the state.
“On further exploiting the camp, the gallant troops recovered several weapons and ammunition, amongst others.”
The Items recovered included; one improvised 16 Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) Gun mounted on a vehicle; One improvised 12 MBRL Gun; One improvised 6 MBRL Gun; One AK 47 Rifle, One Dane Gun; 6 locally made Rocket Launchers; four Improvised Explosive Devices; five Fragmental Jackets, One Baofeng Radio, Military Camouflage Uniforms and several assorted charms.
Nwachukwu noted that in a similar development that also took place in the early hours of Monday, the troops, acting on credible intelligence, busted IPOB/ESN hideout at Ezioha Mgbowo in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu state.
The armed fighters were perfecting plans to enforce the illegal sit-at-home order in the area, when the vigilant troops swooped on them.
The armed fighters, who opened fire on sighting troops approaching their camp were however defeated in the fire fight that followed, neutralising three of the fighters, while others fled in disarray.
The troops recovered three Pump Action Guns and 10 Machetes from the fleeing fighters.