Combined troops of 82 Division Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police and other security agencies have raided and destroyed hideouts and training camps belonging to IPOB/ESN in Orsomoghu Forest spanning Anambra and Imo states.
The raid of the camps was part of ongoing operations to stop enforcement of the illegal sit at home declared by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Director of Army Public Relations , Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, stated this in a release dated 1 August, 2023.
He disclosed that the raid operation was successfully carried out in the camps on Monday.
He said the troops were alerted to the violent activities of the irredentist group enforcing the illegal two weeks sit-at-home order in Onitsha, Nnewi and Iheme Obosi in Anambra State, as well as New Market in Enugu State.
“During the raid operations, the troops cleared IPOB camps in Ekeututu, Orsomoghu, Lilu and Mother Valley camps of the dissidents.
“Troops came in contact with the group’s armed fighters who detonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), also known as Ogbunigwe, and fired using locally fabricated mortar tube.
“The valiant troops however overpowered the irredentist group in the firefight, compelling them to abandon their position as they fled with gunshot wounds into nearby bushes.
“Further cordon and search of the hideouts by the troops, led to the arrest of five fleeing members of the group in the camps.
“It also led to the recovery of one IPOB flag, one CCTV camera and 2 detonated IED bombs and a fabricated mortar tube,” Brigadier Nwachukwu stated.
He disclosed however that five soldiers and two police operatives sadly sustained varying degrees of injuries from the IED detonated by the criminals.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has called on law-abiding people of the South-East Region to disregard the two weeks sit-at-home order by IPOB/ESN.
The security agency urged the people to go about their normal and lawful daily activities and businesses.
The Nigerian Army encourages all law abiding citizens in the region to continue to support ongoing operations with actionable information.
Brigadier Nwachukwu stated that the Army, in synergy with sister services and security agencies will undauntedly continue to protect and safeguard lives and property of the people in the region.
He assured that the security agency will continue to work professionally, within the ambit of the law and the rules of engagement.
