Troops of the Nigerian Army, on Monday, clamped down on enforcers of sit-at-home in Anambra State, arresting five fighters of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
The troops also destroyed IPOB training camps and hideouts in operations that were conducted by the Nigerian Army in collaboration with other security agencies.
However, in the clash, five soldiers and two policemen were injured by the Improvised Explosives Devices reportedly detonated by the IPOB fighters.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said in a statement on Tuesday that troops went after the separatist group following an intelligence report that IPOB fighters were enforcing sit-at-home order in Onitsha.
Nwachukwu said, “In ongoing operations to deter enforcement of the illegal sit-at-home declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network, combined troops of 82 Division Nigerian Army, sister services, Nigeria Police and other security agencies have successfully raided hideouts and training camps belonging to IPOB/ESN in Orsomoghu forest spanning Anambra and Imo states.
“The operation was carried out on Monday when troops were alerted to the violent activities of the irredentist group enforcing the illegal two-week sit-at-home order in Onitsha, Nnewi, and Iheme Obosi in Anambra State, as well as New Market in Enugu State.”
Nwachukwu said the troops cleared IPOB camps in Ekeututu, Orsomoghu, Lilu, and Mother Valley.
“Troops came in contact with the group’s armed fighters, who detonated Improvised Explosive Devices also known as Ogbunigwe, and fired, using locally-fabricated mortar tubes. The valiant troops, however, overpowered the irredentist group in the firefight, compelling them to abandon their position as they fled with gunshot wounds into nearby bushes.
“Further cordon and search of the hideouts by the troops led to the arrest of five fleeing members of the group and recovery of one IPOB flag, one CCTV camera and two detonated IED bombs and a fabricated mortar tube.
“Sadly, five soldiers and two Nigeria Police operatives sustained varying degrees of injury from the IED detonated by the criminals,’’ the statement added.
The Army encouraged law-abiding citizens in the South-East to continue to support the ongoing operations with actionable information.
