The Nigerian Army says it has killed four IPOB separatists in a clash in the country’s south-east.
It said that one of its patrols was attacked, and that it returned fire, killing part of the gang and causing the rest to flee.
The incident took place at Amaifeke and Ihioma in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State.
In a statement by Maj.Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu on Monday, items recovered were pump action short guns, 10 live cartridges, one Hilux truck, which was reportedly, snatched at gun point by the irredentists, mobile handsets and charms.
The statement reads; “Troops of 34 Brigade Obinze have neutralized four members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), in a fierce encounter that ensued at Amaifeke and Ihioma in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State. The terrorists were taken out today Monday 16 May 2022, while shooting sporadically, threatening lives and property of innocent citizens.
“The irate dissidents opened fire on sighting the patrol team, who were out to ensure safety and security of lives and property of citizens. The vigilant troops engaged the criminals and neutralised four of them, while others succumbed to the superior fire power of the troops and escaped from the scene.
“Items recovered from the encounter, include one pump action short gun, 10 live cartridges, one Hilux truck, which was reportedly, snatched at gun point, yesterday by the irredentists, mobile handsets and charms.
“Members of the public are please enjoined to provide credible information on the movement of the criminal elements to security agencies, whenever sighted in their communities.”
The Nigerian military has been accused by human rights groups of employing disproportionate force against separatists in an area that battled for independence in vain in the late 1960s.
The trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the most renowned Biafran separatist leader, is set to resume on Tuesday.
It would be recalled that in 2015, Nnamdi Kanu was first charged and arrested for treason, unlawful possession of arms, and illegal importation of broadcast equipment at a Federal High Court in Abuja in 2015. Fast forward to June 29, 2021, the controversial secessionist was arrested and extradited back to Nigeria.
His arrest led to IPOB declaring a Monday sit-at-home order across the South-East, a directive which grounded economic and business activities in the region.