Troops foil attempt to abduct doctors in Imo

The Nigerian Army said troops of Exercise Golden Dawn have foiled an attempt to abduct a group of doctors in Amauju Isu Local Government Area of Imo State.

The Army in a statement on Tuesday by its Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra attempted to kidnap the doctors providing free healthcare for residents but the troops engaged them in a gun duel.

He added that a member of the group was gunned down in the duel, while another with a gunshot wound was arrested.

The statement titled, ‘Troops Foil Kidnap Attempt, Neutralise IPOB/ESN Kidnapper’ read, “Members of the outlawed group had attempted to kidnap a group of medical doctors and nurses known as, ‘Doctors on the Move Africa’, who were providing free medical care to inhabitants of Amucha Community in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State.

“The troops in conjunction with the Nigerian Air Force 211 Quick Response Group and the Nigerian Police on receipt of actionable intelligence on the criminal plot, swiftly moved in and rescued the medical team. The medical team have been escorted to a safe location.

“The troops afterwards went after the hoodlums and made contact with them at Amauju Isu Local Government Area of Imo State, where they were found enforcing the illegal sit at home order in Amauju.
“In the firefight that ensued, one of the criminals was neutralized, while the others took to their heels. One of them, who had escaped with a gunshot wound was later apprehended by the local Vigilante and handed over to the police.
“The gallant troops recovered one pump-action shotgun, five live cartridges, one Lexus 300 XR SUV and a mobile phone.” (Punch)