Troops raid suspected IPOB/ESN’s hideout, seize arms, ammunition in Imo

The Nigerian Army said Thursday that troops of 34 Brigade, Obinze Owerri, have captured a cache of arms and ammunition belonging to elements of the dissident group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN), after a gun battle at Amaifeke-Akkatta Road in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo state.

The fire arms and ammunition, spokesman of the NA, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu said, “were recovered during troops’ operations to clear separatists’ hideouts in the general area of Amaifeke – Akkatta road”.

“Troops uncovered the weapons concealed in a black Toyota Camry, after they successfully surmounted ambushes staged by members of the outlawed dissident group, who, having been overpowered by the gallant troops, abandoned their vehicle and weapons in the heat of the combat and fled the scene,” Nwachukwu also said.

Nwachukwu who is the Director, Army Public Relations said  this in a statement, explaining “After a  thorough search, the troops recovered ten Pump Action Shotguns, seven locally fabricated guns, one locally made Revolver Pistol, eighty Live Cartridges, one Baofeng Radio and substance suspected to be gun powder. Others include Satchet of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and a Toyota Camry Saloon car.”

He also said the Nigerian Army commends members of the public for their continued support to the military. He stressed that the security agencies are there to “protect the citizens from  atrocious activities of the outlawed dissident groups, who in defiance of law and good order have annihilated innocent Ndigbo and other Nigerians, in their enforcement of an illegal sit at home order, foisted on the good people of the South East.”