The Nigerian Army has killed four gunmen from the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) in Ihiala, Anambra.
Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, Director, Army Public Relations, made the announcement on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to Nwachukwu, troops received a distress call that the gunmen were out enforcing the illegally imposed sit-at-home order and were firing sporadically in and around an Ihiala town filling station.
He claimed that a firefight broke out between the dissidents and the gallant troops, resulting in the deaths of their leader, one Ejike, and three others.
Among the items recovered from the gunmen during the encounter, according to Nwachukwu, are a motorcycle, two pump action double-barrel guns, 12 live cartridges, and substances suspected to be cannabis.
He did, however, mention that one of the combat vehicles transporting troops was involved in an accident during the operation as a result of a technical fault.
“In the accident, one brave officer and a soldier paid the ultimate price, while two others were injured.” The injured are being treated at a military hospital right now.
“While we pray for the repose of the souls of those who have died, the general public is urged to continue to support the military and other security agencies by providing timely and accurate information,” he said.
