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Operatives of the Nigerian Army reportedly raided suspected hideouts belonging to the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Anambra and Imo, destroying their training camps.
Army spokesman, Brig. Gen. Emeka Nwachukwu, who made this known, pointed out that in the ongoing operations to deter enforcement of the illegal sit-at-home declared by IPOB and its armed wing, ESN, combined troops of 82 Division Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police and other security agencies successfully raided hideouts and training camps belonging to IPOB/ESN in Orsomoghu Forest spanning Anambra and Imo states.
Read Also: Nigerian Army Acusses IPOB Of Plotting Attack On Officers
Nwachukwu said: ‘The raid was carried out on Monday, July 31, 2023, when troops were alerted on violent activities of the group, who were enforcing the illegal two-week sit-at-home order in Onitsha, Nnewi and Iheme Obosi, in Anambra, as well as New Market, in Enugu State.
‘During the operations, the troops cleared IPOB camps in Eke Ututu, Orsomoghu, Lilu and Mother Valley camps. They came in contact with the group’s armed fighters, who detonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), also known as Ogbunigwe, and fired locally fabricated mortar tubes.
‘The valiant troops, however, overpowered the criminals, compelling them to abandon their position and fled with gunshot wounds into nearby bushes.
‘However, five of them were arrested and one IPOB flag, one CCTV camera and two detonated IED bombs, as well as a fabricated mortar tube were recovered.
‘Sadly, five soldiers and two police operatives sustained varying degrees of injuries from the IED explosion.
‘The Nigerian Army encourages all law-abiding citizens in the South East to continue to support ongoing operations with actionable information, and to disregard the unlawful two-week sit-at-home order by going about their normal daily activities.
‘The soldiers, in synergy with sister services and security agencies, will undauntedly continue to protect and safeguard life and property of Southeasterners within the ambit of the law and rules of engagement.’
The Eastern Updates reports that the Nigerian army had recently vowed to go after criminals in the south east.
