The Nigerian military and its sister services have successfully raided hideouts and training camps belonging to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Orsomoghu Forest spanning Anambra and Imo States.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the raid was carried out on Monday, July 31, 2023.
The force said the raid furthers the ongoing operations to deter the enforcement of the illegal sit-at-home order declared by IPOB/ESN.
During the raid, the troops came in contact with armed IPOB/ESN fighters, who detonated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and fired using locally fabricated mortar tubes. The troops, however, overpowered the group in a firefight, forcing them to flee with gunshot wounds into nearby bushes.
The troops also arrested five fleeing members of the group and recovered one IPOB flag, one CCTV camera, two detonated IED bombs, and a fabricated mortar tube.
Five soldiers and two Nigeria Police operatives were injured in the operation, but their injuries are not life-threatening, the statement revealed.
The Indigenous People of Biafra is a nationalist separatist group in Nigeria that aims to restore the Republic of Biafra, a country which seceded from Nigeria prior to the Nigerian Civil War and later rejoined Nigeria after its defeat by the Nigerian military.
Their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is still in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The full statement by the military reads:
TROOPS RAID IPOB/ESN CAMPS IN ANAMBRA/IMO, DESTROY HIDEOUTS, TRAINING CAMPS.
In ongoing operations to deter enforcement of the illegal sit at home declared by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), combined troops of 82 Division Nigerian Army, sister Services, Nigeria Police and other security agencies have successfully raided hideouts and training camps belonging to IPOB/ESN in Orsomoghu Forest spanning Anambra and Imo States.
The raid operation was carried out on Monday 31 July 2023, when troops were alerted to the violent activities of the irredentist group enforcing the illegal 2 weeks sit-at-home order in Onitsha, Nnewi and Iheme Obosi in Anambra State, as well as New Market in Enugu state.
During the raid operations, the troops cleared IPOB camps in Ekeututu, Orsomoghu, Lilu and Mother Valley camps of the dissidents. Troops came in contact with the group’s armed fighters, who detonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) also known as Ogbunigwe and fired using locally fabricated mortar tube. The valiant troops however overpowered the irredentist group in the firefight, compelling them to abandon their position as they fled with gunshot wounds into nearby bushes. Further cordon and search of the hideouts by the troops, led to the arrest of five fleeing members of the group and recovery of one IPOB flag, one CCTV camera and 2 detonated IED bombs and a fabricated mortar tube.
Sadly, five soldiers and two Nigeria Police operatives sustained varying degrees of injuries from the IED detonated by the criminals.
The Nigerian Army encourages all law abiding citizens of the South East to continue to support ongoing operations with actionable information and to disregard the unlawful 2 weeks sit-at-home order by going about their normal daily activities and businesses. The Nigerian Army in synergy with sister services and security agencies will undauntedly continue to protect and safeguard lives and property of the good and enterprising people of South East Nigeria, within the ambit of the law and the rules of engagement.
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations
1 August 2023
