Troops arrest five IPOB fighters, destroy training camps

The troops of the Nigerian Army, have arrested five Indigenous People of Biafra fighters during clearance operations in Anambra and Imo states’ forests.

The troops in collaboration with other security agencies also destroyed the training camps and hideouts of the fighters.

A statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Tuesday, said the operations were carried out following intelligence that the fighters were enforcing a sit-at-home order in Onitsha.

According to the statement, in the ongoing operations to deter enforcement of the illegal sit-at-home declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network, combined troops of 82 Division Nigerian Army, sister services, Nigeria Police and other security agencies have successfully raided hideouts and training camps belonging to IPOB/ESN in Orsomoghu Forest spanning Anambra and Imo states.

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“The raid operation was carried out on Monday, July 13, 2023, when 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.”

Nwachukwu said troops cleared IPOB camps in Ekeututu, Orsomoghu, Lilu, and Mother Valley, during the operation.

“Troops came in contact with the group’s armed fighters, who detonated Improvised Explosive Devices also known as Ogbunigwe and fired using locally fabricated mortar tubes. 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 and recovery of one IPOB flag, one CCTV camera and 2 detonated IED bombs and a fabricated mortar tube.

“Sadly, five soldiers and two Nigeria Police operatives sustained varying degrees of injuries from the IED detonated by the criminals, ” the statement added.

He urged the South-East citizens to support the operations, saying, “the Nigerian Army encouraged law-abiding citizens of the South-East to continue to support the ongoing operations with actionable information.”

Onyema also urged them to disregard the two weeks sit-at-home order by going about their normal daily activities and businesses.