The Nigerian Army on Wednesday ascertained the killing of two combatants of the Indigenous People of Biafra along the Eke Ututu-Ihitte Nansa Road, in the Orsu Local Government Area of Imo state.
In a statement, the director of Army Public Relations, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, said the troops killed the ESN member when the militants were about to raid the Orsu Ihitee Ukwa and Ihitte Nansa Communities in Imo state with a rocket launcher.
The statement read in part, “Troops of Headquarters 82 Division Nigerian Army, made up of troops of 34 Artillery Brigade, in conjunction with troops of the Nigerian Navy, Air Force and other security agencies, on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, neutralized two combatants of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network, along Eke Ututu – Ihitte Nansa Road, in the Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.
“The troops encountered the dissidents while carrying out a raid operation around the general area of Orsu Ihitte Ukwa and Ihitte Nansa. The neutralized members had taken a position to launch one of their primed rocket launchers when they were engaged and taken out by the vigilant troops.”
Gen Onyema Nwachukwu said some explosives released by the criminals destroyed some shops in the environment.
He said, “The fearless troops were unhurt, as Improvised Explosive Devices deployed by the irredentists exploded at Eke Ututu Market, destroying some of the shops in the market.
“Eke Ututu market has recently become a flash point. The dissidents often ambush troops using explosives and firearms from within and around the market, while troops are on routine patrol.
“After the incident, the Explosive Ordnance Device team recovered several Improvised Explosive Devices planted along the road and locally-fabricated rocket launchers.”
