One Killed As IPOB, ESN Clash With Nigerian Army In Anambra

One person was reportedly killed when the Nigerian Army troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade, clashed with some suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Anambra State.

Director of Army Public Relations, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, revealed in a statement released on Tuesday, that the proscribed Biafra fighters attempted the attack on the troops on August 20, 2023, at the Forward Operating Base at Ukwuorji, along the Owerri-Onitsha expressway, but were countered by the troops operating in 82 Division’s area.

Nwachukwi said the criminals met their Waterloo when they came under the superior firepower of the vigilant troops and that one of the fighters was killed while two others were arrested and others fled.

According to the statement, the troops recovered a vehicle, mobile phone, machete, nine empty cases of expended 7.62 mm special ammunition, and an empty case of expended 12.7mm ammunition.

In another development, following troops’ aggressive combat operations against insurgents in the Northeast, one Boko Haram fighter and his wife surrendered to troops of the 26 Task Force Brigade Garrison in Gwoza.

The statement said an AK-47 rifle and 10 live rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition were among the items recovered from the Boko Haram fighter who surrendered to the troops.

The statement said further: “In a separate operation on August 21, 2023, troops of 1 Brigade Garrison, operating under 8 Division’s area of responsibility, while acting on actionable intelligence, ambushed insurgents who were on a mission to attack Bobo Village in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

“In a fierce fight with the insurgents, troops eliminated two of the criminals and recovered two AK-47 rifles and four motorcycles.”

The statement appealed to law-abiding citizens to support the Nigerian military’s operations to enhance security across the country.