- During the operation, the military encountered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on their way to attack the IPOB camp, injuring one soldier with fragments
The Nigerian Army confirmed that six alleged members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its affiliate Eastern Security Network (ESN) were killed in a gun battle on Saturday in Abia State.
According to a statement issued on Sunday morning, the military launched the attack in response to the recent killing of military personnel in the Southeast region. During the operation, the military encountered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on their way to attack the IPOB camp, injuring one soldier with fragments.
The statement reads: “In order to apprehend the perpetuators of the attack on own troops (3 out of those killed are from the SE) at Aba last week as well as to recover arms and ammunition from the Indigenous People of Biafra and its affiliate Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) terrorist group, troops of Operation UDO KA conducted another successful clearance/raid operations to the IPOB/ESN Camp in Igboro Forest in Arochukwu LGA of Abia State yesterday.
“During the intelligence-led operation, troops encountered Improvised Explosive Devices along its axis of advance and one soldier sustained minor injury from the fragment.
“The terrorists’ feeble firefight were adequately subdued with superior firepower that led to the neutralization of 6 members of the criminal terrorists group while others escaped into adjoining bushes with varying degrees of gunshot wounds as blood stains were seen along their escape routes.
“The gallant troops recovered three locally fabricated Rocket Propelled Grenade launchers, two locally fabricated Artillery gun with tripod and its bombs. Other items recovered include dane guns, Biafran flags as well as Toyota Tundra and Hilux vehicles that were burnt insitu. Also all of their camps with different inscriptions were destroyed.
“The Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA is calling on the good people of Abia to continue to cooperate with security agencies by giving credible and timely information that will help to annihilate the criminals in the State and the whole of South East Nigeria.”