The Nigerian Army has said that its troops of Joint Task Force South East Operation Udoka II have killed four members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN).
A statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Jonah Unuakhalu, said the separatists ambushed and attacked JTF troops on routine patrol with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on Thursday, September 28, 2023, along Orsumoghu – Ukpor Road in Anambra State.
"During the firefight, the gallant troops countered the ambush with superior firepower neutralising one member of the irredentist group. Two AK-47 rifles were recovered at the scene of the firefight while others escaped into the nearby bushes with various degrees of gunshot injuries.
"On further exploitation of the withdrawal route, three more bodies of IPOB/ESN members were recovered who died from gunshot wounds sustained during the firefight," he said.
Unuakhalu reassured the people of the Southeast region of the army’s resolve and commitment to restoring lasting peace in the region as it would not relent in the fight to end the security challenges in the zone.
"The Task Force, therefore, calls on law-abiding and good citizens of the South-East region not to relent in providing timely, credible and reliable information which will lead to ending the menace of insecurity occasioned by activities of the irredentist group in the region.
"Operation Udoka II will continue combating crime and criminality in accordance with the extant rules and regulations guiding its operations,” he added.