Troops raid IPOB/ESN camps, kill fighter, arrest nine others

Tamarauemi Ebimini

Troops of 302 Regiment Nigerian Army and Anambra vigilante group have killed one Indigenous people of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) fighter and arrested nine of its members during separate raid operations at the group camps in Anambra State.

Army spokesperson, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, who said this in a statement, explained that the raids were part of ongoing clearance operations to ensure peace and security in South East Nigeria.

Nwachukwu said the troops and vigilantes, in an effort to curb the illicit activities of the fighters in the communities, on Sunday 23 July 2023, destroyed IPOB/ESN camps in Oroma and Umuewelum Anam in Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State, where they also arrested eight members of the group.

During the raid operation, according to Nwachukwu, the troops also recovered one AK 47 Rifle, one AKMS Rifle, three Lexus SUVs and two Motorcycles.

“In a separate operation, troops also raided IPOB camp at Mmiata Anam in Anambra South, where the gallant troops came in contact with the irredentist group and in the encounter, neutralized one IPOB fighter, while another was captured alive. The troops also recovered one AK 47 Rifle, one Dane gun and police uniforms,” he said.

The army spokesperson enjoined citizens and particularly the people of the South East to continue to support and cooperate with the troops and other security agencies in their effort to end the security challenges in the region.