7th May, 2024
By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
Nigerian troops have killed a commander of IPOB/ESN identified as Tochukwu Aka Ojoto and three other members of the insurgent group in a clearance operation in the Udda area of Ihittukwa and Orsumoghu in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.
According to the military, Ojoto who is the head of Ihietukwa Command of IPOB/ESN fell to the superior firepower of the troops despite many charms on his body, a statement by the Nigerian Army indicated.
According to the statement, the raid followed information that the IPOB/ESN terrorist group was planning to establish other camps in the general area and other places after the destruction of their notorious stronghold at Mother Valley.
According to the statement, during a clearance operation of the general area on 6 May 2024, the troops came in contact with the IPOB/ESN terrorists who expectantly employed Improvised Explosive Devices IEDs to stop the advancing troops.
“However, the gallant joint troops with superior fire power forced the criminals to withdraw in disarray. In the encounter, 4 of the irredentists were neturalized and others escaped with gunshots wounds.
“One of the IPOB/ESN commanders, TOCHUKWU AKA OJOTO in charge of Ihietukwa Command despite many charms on his body was neutralized,”
According to the statement, items recovered from the hideouts include, one AK 47 Rifle with two magazines, two automatic pump action guns, three handheld Baofeng radios, one laptop and one Techno phone.
Also recovered were car keys, substance suspected to be Marijuana, Biafran currencies, Quantity 5 IEDs, IEDs making materials, batteries used in detonation of the IEDs and assorted charms.
“The Force Commander Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA; Maj Gen Hassan DADA wishes to assure all citizens of the Joint Task Force commitment to ensure peace and stability in the region. The general public are enjoined to continue providing timely, reliable and credible information through its Toll Free line 193 and press Option 2 to speak directly to a representative.”