Troops kill scores of IPOB terrorists in Enugu, Ebonyi

A few days ago in Zamfara, not fewer than 180 bandits were killed in airstrikes by the NAF. Over 60 civilians used as shields by the dissidents were also killed in the crossfire.

Discoveries in South East

Nwachukwu stated that the troops recovered 102 rounds of 7.62mm special, 2 pump action guns, 5 locally made rifles, 1 roll of detonator 27, quantity 24 detonators, 33 electrical cables, quantity 12 of type 36 hand grenades and 12 bags of substances suspected to be marijuana.

He said the troops also recovered three motorcycles, 2 generators, 1 water pumping machine, military woodland camouflage and police uniforms.

The army spokesman said the troops in another operation on the same date, while on routine patrol in Agubeji community in Enugu State arrested a suspect, one Mr Martins Abogwu, for conniving with IPOB/Eastern Security Network (ESN) elements to unleash attacks on innocent citizens.

He said the suspect, who claimed he was the chief security officer of the community, was assisting in the preliminary investigations that followed and had led troops to their camp where a shallow grave containing two decomposing bodies were uncovered.

‘’One of the corpses has been identified as a member of the local vigilante, who was kidnapped about a month ago.

‘’The Nigerian Army reassures law abiding citizens of its unwavering resolve, in synergy with other services and security agencies to deny criminal elements the freedom of action and progressively rid the nation of identified threats to national security by executing its constitutional responsibilities in conformity with extant rules of engagement.

In a related development, the Director of DSS in Imo State, Wilcox Idaminabo, has announced the arrest of kingpins behind the frequent attacks, especially the burning of offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state.

He, however, did not specify the identity of the group.

READ ALSO:

• Obi leads Tinubu, Atiku in fresh pre-election opinion poll
• 27-year-old female kidnapper nabbed in Ogun
• Opposition parties ganging up against Buhari – Lai Mohammed
• Four soldiers arrested in Gambia after failed coup

The police in Imo and Ebonyi recently identified IPOB as the masterminds of the burning of the INEC offices and the killing of residents for defying the sit-at-home order declared by the outlawed group.

A few days ago, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, also raised the alarm that separatist groups in the country were working to disrupt the 2023 general elections.

Baba, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General in charge of operations, Dandaura Mustapha, spoke on Friday when he appeared before the House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating attacks on the facilities of the INEC.

The police chief said the attacks on the offices of the electoral body increased after the ban on political campaigns was lifted.

Idaminabo, who spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof Sylvia Uchenna Agu, in Owerri, the state capital, said that the department would continue to work to ensure that peace was restored in the state.

He said the department had also dislodged the camp at Orsu where the hoodlums had made their headquarters.

He said the constant raid by operatives of DSS led to the arrest of one Mike Ahize, who is the leader of the hoodlums in Orsu.

He said that the pounding of the hoodlums’ camp in Orsu had made them relocate to the Aku/Ihube axis along the Okigwe Expressway where they continued with their attacks.

Ibidaminabo however expressed delight that another leader named Ejima was arrested Tuesday night.

The DSS said, “We have continued to comb their camps and cells in Orsu, Njaba, Orlu and Okigwe and our onslaughts, especially at Njaba led to the arrest of one Ejima who has been threatening to burn down the state. I am happy to announce that just last night (Tuesday) we apprehended him and he’s now in our custody.

“We also recovered a lot of arms, ammunition and charms from him.”

Idaminabo appealed to residents to cooperate with security agencies to ensure that these hoodlums were arrested and made to face the law.

Daily Trust