The Nigerian Army and its sister services have conducted a raid on hideouts and training camps belonging to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The raid took place on Monday, July 31, 2023, at the Orsomoghu Forest spanning Anambra and Imo States.
The raid followed the ongoing efforts to combat the enforcement of the illegal sit-at-home order declared by IPOB/ESN.
During the raid, the troops encountered armed IPOB/ESN fighters who used improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and locally fabricated mortar tubes.
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Regardless, the troops displayed their superior strength and successfully overpowered the group in a firefight, causing them to flee with gunshot wounds into nearby bushes.
Additionally, five members of the group were apprehended, and valuable items such as an IPOB flag, a CCTV camera, two detonated IED bombs, and a fabricated mortar tube were recovered.
A statement issued by Brig. Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations disclosed that five soldiers and two Nigerian police personnel were injured during the operation, but their injuries were not life-threatening.
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The full statement by the military read:
“TROOPS RAID IPOB/ESN CAMPS IN ANAMBRA/IMO, DESTROY HIDEOUTS, TRAINING CAMPS.
“In ongoing operations to deter enforcement of the illegal sit at home declared by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), combined troops of 82 Division Nigerian Army, sister Services, Nigeria Police and other security agencies have successfully raided hideouts and training camps belonging to IPOB/ESN in Orsomoghu Forest spanning Anambra and Imo States.
“The raid operation was carried out on Monday 31 July 2023, when troops were alerted to the violent activities of the irredentist group enforcing the illegal 2 weeks sit-at-home order in Onitsha, Nnewi and Iheme Obosi in Anambra State, as well as New Market in Enugu state.
“During the raid operations, the troops cleared IPOB camps in Ekeututu, Orsomoghu, Lilu and Mother Valley camps of the dissidents. Troops came in contact with the group’s armed fighters, who detonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) also known as Ogbunigwe and fired using locally fabricated mortar tube.
“The valiant troops however overpowered the irredentist group in the firefight, compelling them to abandon their position as they fled with gunshot wounds into nearby bushes. Further cordon and search of the hideouts by the troops, led to the arrest of five fleeing members of the group and recovery of one IPOB flag, one CCTV camera and 2 detonated IED bombs and a fabricated mortar tube.
“Sadly, five soldiers and two Nigeria Police operatives sustained varying degrees of injuries from the IED detonated by the criminals.
“The Nigerian Army encourages all law abiding citizens of the South East to continue to support ongoing operations with actionable information and to disregard the unlawful 2 weeks sit-at-home order by going about their normal daily activities and businesses. The Nigerian Army in synergy with sister services and security agencies will undauntedly continue to protect and safeguard lives and property of the good and enterprising people of South East Nigeria, within the ambit of the law and the rules of engagement.
“ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations
1 August 2023.”
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