The Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, who made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday said that the troops also arrested six suspects during the operation.
The Nigerian Army has said that its troops have uncovered and neutralised a major firearms and drone manufacturing factory at Onicha Olona in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, allegedly operated by the Eastern Security Network (ESN) the armed fighters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, who made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday said that the troops also arrested six suspects during the operation.
Nwachukwu said that the intelligence-led operation revealed that the suspected operators of the factory were using the factory to carry out criminal activities to terrorise neighbouring communities and innocent citizens.
The army spokesperson said that “Upon swooping on the illegal factory, the troops were met with stiff resistance, but overpowered the armed fighters in the fierce firefight that followed. The gallant troops neutralised two of the fighters and recovered a substantial cache of arms and ammunition.
“Items captured by the troops include a wide range of IPOB/ESN firearms, ammunition, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and a drone manufacturing factory.
“Other items recovered are a variety of weapons, drones under construction, with prototypes, Improvised Explosive Device materials, a fully equipped workshop, and several power generating sets.
“Troops also apprehended four male and two female fighters during the operation.
“The Nigerian Army assures the public of troops' unalloyed commitment to dismantling terrorists' and insurgents' networks in their effort to mitigate security challenges in the nation.
“We urge the public to continue to support the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, as they strive to restore peace and stability in the country.”