28th December, 2024
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade neutralised members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in a series of operations conducted on Friday, December 27, 2024.
Captain Joseph Baba Akubo, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, n a statement on Saturday said responding to a distress call regarding an IPOB/ESN attack on Osina Community in Ideato North Local Government Area, the troops swiftly countered the assailants while returning from a routine patrol.
Akubo said the attackers, caught off guard, were overwhelmed and forced to retreat in disarray.
He revealed that two security personnel tragically lost their lives during the confrontation, while another remains missing, adding that the assailants managed to seize an AK-47 rifle and a tear gas launcher.
“Despite these losses, the troops recovered the bodies of the fallen agents and launched an aggressive pursuit of the fleeing attackers.
“Further engagement occurred at Nkwachi Community, where another intense firefight unfolded. One IPOB/ESN fighter was neutralised, and others retreated into nearby forests, leaving behind an AK-47 rifle with a fully loaded magazine,” Akubo stated.
He added that undeterred, the troops pressed into Umalouma Forest, encountering fierce resistance and that overwhelmed by superior firepower, the attackers abandoned their weapons and fled with severe injuries.
Recovered from the forest were: Five AK-47 rifles, one Fabrique Nationale rifle, two magazines and one tear gas launcher
He said operations were ongoing, with troops actively exploiting the area to dismantle hideouts and apprehend the remaining fugitives.
The military has called on IPOB/ESN members and other criminal elements to surrender to authorities or face decisive consequences.
Akubo assured the public of the Army’s commitment to ensuring a secure and peaceful Yuletide season for Imo State residents.
He also urged citizens to support military efforts by providing timely intelligence on criminal activities and hideouts.
“Together, we can rid the state of all forms of criminality and create a safer environment for all,” Akubo stated.
