The Nigerian Army asserted on Wednesday that troops from Headquarters 82 Division NA broke into the Amangu hamlet in Abia state and killed some locals.
The assertion was debunked on Thursday by Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations.
He said that while Staff Sergeant Bassey Ikunugwan was supposed to be on leave, he was actually kidnapped along the Road Okwu-Ebem Ohafia in Abia State. He said that the troops were looking for Ikunugwan.
“Acting on credible intelligence reports, troops embarked on a Search and Rescue Operation at Amangu Village/Forest, having confirmed same as an Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) enclave, where the soldier was reportedly held hostage,” he said.
He said during the search and rescue operations, contact was made with members of the proscribed armed groups resulting in exchange of fire, during which troops neutralized one of the criminals and recovered one AK 47 rifle with a magazine loaded with 7 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) and one mobile phone.
He said during a follow up on 5 November 2022, troops raided another enclave of the groups around Amangu Village in Abia State, neutralized two of the criminals, while some fled with gunshot wounds.
He said the troops recovered two locally fabricated AK 47 rifles, four Pump Action guns, one locally made Pistol, one Sniper rifle, six magazines, 13 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) and one Motorcycle.
Others include; 2 CCTV cameras, one solar panel, flags, one walkie-talkie, 2 mobile phones, two pamphlets of Biafran anthem, one INEC box, 12 face caps, machetes, pairs of combat boots, pairs of rain boot, camouflage uniforms, one transistor radio, two jungle hats, two knee guards, one power bank, one INEC image capturing machine and a PVC.
He said the troops lost one personnel, adding that the NA will leave no stone unturned in the search of the abducted soldier.