Troops of Nigerian Army, Monday, killed two suspected members of the outlawed Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) during a gun battle in Imo State, Nigeria’s South-east.
The incident happened along Orsu-Orlu road in the state.
Army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
He said the troops intercepted the IPOB members and its militant wing, ESN, while on a routine patrol around the area.
“On sighting the patrol team, the criminal elements opened fire and launched grenade attack on the troops.
“The vigilant troops responded with superior firepower neutralising two of the criminal elements, compelling others to flee in disarray,” Mr Nwachukwu said.
He said the troops arrested four of the fleeing gunmen following a “hot chase” during the operation.
One AK 47 rifle, two magazines, one police grenade launcher, two Baofeng communication radio sets, were among the items recovered during the operation, according to the Army spokesperson.
Others are: five mobile phones, one IPOB beret, two motorcycles, four SIM cards, five wallets containing different ID cards, aphrodisiac, charms and the sum of N16,460.
“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,” Mr Nwachukwu said.
Like other states in the South-east, attacks by gunmen have increased recently in Imo State. The attacks often target security agencies and government facilities.
The Nigerian government has accused IPOB of being responsible for the attacks in the region. But the separatist group has repeatedly denied involvement in the attacks.
IPOB is leading agitation for an independent state of Biafra to be carved out from the South-east and some parts of the South-south Nigeria.
The leader of the separatist group, Nnamdi Kanu, is currently detained in Abuja where he is facing trial for alleged treason.
READ ALSO: Outrage over killing of INEC official in Imo, IPOB accused of involvement
Read full statement:
TROOPS NEUTRALIZE TWO IPOB/ESN IN GUN BATTLE, RECOVER WEAPONS IN IMO STATE*
Troops of 34 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army(NA) have neutralized 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 grenade attack on the troops. The vigilant troops responded with superior firepower neutralizing two of the criminal elements, compelling others to flee in disarray. In a hot pursuit that followed the encounter, troops arrested four of the fleeing gunmen 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 the sum of Sixteen Thousand Four Hundred and Sixty Naira only.
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.
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations
26 April 2022
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