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Two Nigerian soldiers have lost their lives in Abia State, southeastern Nigeria, following an ambush by gunmen, an incident that highlights the growing threat posed by armed groups in the Southeast region.
According to military sources, the fatal attack occurred on Wednesday, 13 November, when gunmen opened fire on a checkpoint positioned along the Umuahia-Owerri Road in Ekeneobizi Community, located within Abia’s Umuahia South Local Government Area, resulting in the deaths of the soldiers stationed there.
The fallen soldiers were members of a collaborative security initiative known as Operation UDO KA, established to address the violent agitation for Biafra independence that has posed significant challenges in Nigeria’s South-east region.
Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unukhalu, speaking on behalf of the task force, reported in a statement issued from Umuahia on Wednesday that the assault took place during the early hours of that day.
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“The attack was carried out by the irredentist group of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN),” Mr Unukhalu said in the statement.
“During the attack, the gallant troops were able to repel the attack forcing the irredentist to withdraw in disarray with gunshot wounds, abandoning one Sienna and one Lexus Jeep vehicles that were used for the attack.
“However, in the ensuing firefight, two soldiers paid the supreme price,” he said.
The task force appealed to Abia State residents to volunteer information that could help the security agencies apprehend those responsible for the attack.
The statement said that the army would continue to carry out its constitutional roles of safeguarding lives and property and perform its duties in line with global best practices as laid down in the rules of engagement guiding its operations.
South-east Nigeria has continued to grapple with deadly attacks linked to IPOB, while Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the group, is standing trial in Abuja for alleged terrorism.
