In a ferocious battle, troops from the Nigerian Army’s 82 Division and the Nigerian Police killed three members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed branch, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The intense confrontation occurred during a clearance operation in the early hours of Monday, September 18, 2023, at Igboro Forest, between Arochukwu and Ohafia local government areas of Abia State, according to Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, Director Army Public Relations.
He claimed that the military demolished multiple terrible camps where members of the gangs committed heinous acts and trained new members.
According to him, the valiant troops recovered several weapons and ammunition, including one improvised 16 MBRL gun mounted on a vehicle, one improvised 12 MBRL gun, an improvised six MBRL gun, one AK-47 rifle, a Dane gun, six locally made rocket launchers, four IEDs, five fragmental jackets, a Baofeng radio, military camouflage uniforms, and several assorted charms.
He further stated that the army, in collaboration with the Nigerian Police Force, raided an IPOB/ESN hideaway at Ezioha Mgbowo in Enugu State’s Awgu Local Government Area.
He claimed that as the watchful military pounced on them, the armed fighters were finalising plans to impose the illegal sit-at-home order in the area.
Three of the fighters were killed, while others fled in confusion.
According to him, the military captured three pump-action guns and ten machetes from fleeing fighters.
The statement urged the people to continue providing genuine information to the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in order to strengthen the battle against terrorism, insurgency, and other criminal activities.