The Nigerian Army on Wednesday confirmed the killing of two combatants of the Indigenous People of Biafra along the Eke Ututu-Ihitte Nansa Road, in the Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement, said the troops killed the ESN members when the militants were about to raid Orsu Ihitte Ukwa and Ihitte Nansa communities in Imo State with a rocket launcher.
He said the operation was carried out in collaboration with officials of the Nigerian Navy, Air Force and other security operatives in the state.
The statement read in part, “Troops of Headquarters 82 Division Nigerian Army, made up of troops of 34 Artillery Brigade, in conjunction with troops of the Nigerian Navy, Air Force and other security agencies, on Tuesday August 30, 2022, neutralised two combatants of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network, along Eke Ututu – Ihitte Nansa Road, in the Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.
“The troops encountered the dissidents while carrying out a raid operation around the general area of Orsu Ihitte Ukwa and Ihitte Nansa. The neutralised members had taken position to launch one of their primed rocket launchers, when they were engaged and taken out by the vigilant troops.”
Nwachukwu said explosives detonated by the criminals destroyed some shops in the market.
He said, “The fearless troops were unhurt, as Improvised Explosive Devices deployed by the irredentists exploded at Eke Ututu Market, destroying some of the shops in the market.
“Eke Ututu market has recently become a flash point as the dissidents often ambush troops using explosives and firearms from within and around the market, while troops are on routine patrol.
“After the incident, the Explosive Ordnance Device team recovered several Improvised Explosive Devices planted along the road, as well as locally-fabricated rocket launchers.”
Punch