18th April, 2022
The Nigerian Army on Monday said its troops have shot a member of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) and its armed affiliate Eastern Security Network(ESN) dead, during gun-battle in Imo.
A statement issued by Army spokesman, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, said troops of 34 Artillery Brigade Nigerian Army (NA) on Sunday 17 neutralized a member of IPOB at Ihioma Community in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State.
He disclosed that troops on routine patrol encountered members of the irredentist group who fired sporadically at Banana Junction to enforce the illegal sit-at-home order on law abiding citizens going about their legitimate businesses.
“The IPOB/ESN criminals on sighting the troops, withdrew in a blue Toyota Highlander towards Ihioma Community for reinforcement.
“In the fire fight that ensued during the operation, one of the criminals was taken out, while others fled in disarray. Troops are combing the general area in a follow up operations to track down the fleeing dissidents,” he said.
Nwachukwu added that having suffered casualty and effectively denied freedom of action by the troops, the irredentist group had resorted to cheap propaganda to whip up public sentiments by circulating a doctored video on the social media alleging troops’ complicity in their mindless atrocities.
“This propaganda should be disregarded in its entirety,” he said.