DHQ said the suspected ESN members were killed in the Southeast Nigeria states of Anambra and Imo, adding that arms and ammunition, including four Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were recovered.
No fewer than seven suspected members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militant wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were killed between August 25 and September 8, Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said.
DHQ said the suspected ESN members were killed in the Southeast Nigeria states of Anambra and Imo, adding that arms and ammunition, including four Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were recovered.
The Nigerian military has faced criticisms from civil society organisations for allegedly killing innocent youths in the region.
But Defence Headquarters while briefing journalists on Thursday in Abuja, maintained that the military was not targeting innocent civilians.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major-General Musa Danmadami, who briefed the media on the operations of the Nigerian military, said the suspected insurgents were eliminated in separate encounters at Idemiri in the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State and at Izombe in Oguta Council Area of Imo State.
According to his breakdown, two IPOB members were killed in Imemiri on August 29 while five were killed in Izombe in a gun battle days earlier.
The statement read, “The military and other security agencies have sustained the momentum in the fight against the illegal activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other criminalities within the zone.
“Accordingly, troops conducted operational activities in Orsu, Oguta Local Government Areas of Imo State as well as Ihiala and Idemili North Local Government Areas of Anambra State and also Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State.
“Notably, on 29 August 2022, troops on fighting patrol came in contact with suspected Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminal at Idemiri in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State during the encounter two of the criminals were neutralised while others fled with gunshot wounds.
“In another development, the Imo State Police raided the Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminal camp at Izombe in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State. The hoodlums engaged the Police in a gun duel but were overpowered.
“During the operation, five Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals were neutralised while three pump action guns, two locally made double barrels guns, four locally-made pistols, four Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), and other weapons and assorted ammunition as well as military and police uniforms, large quantities of assorted hard drugs among others were recovered from the suspected criminals.
“All recovered items were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.”