The Nigerian Army has announced the neutralization of a high-ranking commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its security wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The commander, identified as Tochukwu aka Ojoto, was in charge of the Ihietukwa Command in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.
According to a statement released by the Army on Tuesday, troops from the Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA conducted a clearance operation in the areas of Udda, Ihittukwa, and Orsumoghu in Orsu Local Government Area.
The operation was based on reliable intelligence and resulted in a clash with the terrorist group.
During the operation, the terrorists employed Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in an attempt to stop the advancing troops.
However, the joint troops, with their superior firepower, were able to force the criminals to withdraw in disarray.
A statement posted on its official X handle on Tuesday read:
“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 neutralised.
“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.
“Others are, car keys, substance suspected to be Marijuana, Baifran currencies, quantity 5 IEDs, IEDs making materials, batteries used in detonation of the IEDs and assorted charms.”
