BREAKING: TROOPS NEUTRALISE IPOB/ESN MEMBERS IN IMO STATE
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Nicolas Adekeye / 4 weeks
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- 2 min read
Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade have successfully 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. According to Captain Joseph Baba Akubo, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, the troops responded 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, catching them off guard and forcing them to retreat in disarray. Akuubo stated, “Despite these losses, the troops recovered the bodies of the fallen agents and launched an aggressive pursuit of the fleeing attackers.” Unfortunately, two security personnel lost their lives during the confrontation, while another remains missing. The assailants managed to seize an AK-47 rifle and a tear gas launcher. Further engagement occurred at Nkwachi Community, where another intense firefight unfolded, resulting in the neutralisation of one IPOB/ESN fighter. The troops then pressed into Umalouma Forest, encountering fierce resistance, but ultimately overwhelming the attackers with superior firepower. The attackers abandoned their weapons and fled with severe injuries. The troops recovered five AK-47 rifles, one Fabrique Nationale rifle, two magazines, and one tear gas launcher from the forest. Operations are ongoing, with troops actively exploiting the area to dismantle hideouts and apprehend the remaining fugitives. Captain Akubo assured the public of the Army’s commitment to ensuring a secure and peaceful Yuletide season for Imo State residents. He 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.