Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed “several” suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Imo State, located in Nigeria’s South-East.
The suspected IPOB members were killed on Monday during a gun battle, according to a statement shared on the Nigerian Army’s Facebook page.
The statement indicated that the confrontation occurred along the Ekeututu-Ihiteunansa Road in the Orsu Local Government Area of the state.
The troops reportedly conducted the “rigorous fighting patrol” as part of an ongoing clearance operation aimed at targeting remaining IPOB members in the South-East.
The operation was carried out by troops of Operation Udo KA, according to the statement.
“During the operation, the troops encountered suspected IPOB/ESN members.
“In the ensuing engagement, several of the suspected criminals were neutralised,” the army stated.
The operation led to the recovery of pump-action guns, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and materials for making IEDs, as well as charms.
The Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General O.O. Oluyede, praised the troops for their bravery, the statement said.
Lieutenant General Oluyede also urged the troops to maintain their momentum in rooting out criminal elements from their hideouts.
He reassured residents of the South-East that they could go about their daily activities without fear.
IPOB is a group advocating for the establishment of a sovereign state of Biafra in Nigeria’s South-East and parts of the South-South regions. It has been linked to several deadly attacks in the two regions.
However, the group has consistently denied any involvement in these attacks.
Nigerian security agencies, particularly the military, have been conducting raids on camps belonging to IPOB and other separatist groups in the South-East.
These operations have resulted in casualties on both sides, with security personnel and members of the separatist groups losing their lives in the confrontations.
