Troops overrun IPOB, ESN hideout, recover arms, ammunition — Army

According to him, the criminals were overwhelmed by the troops’ superior firepower, forcing them to abandon their hideout.

He said: “After over running their camp, the gallant troops carried out further exploitation and recovered a cache of arms, comprising 22 Pump Action rifles, 19 Dane guns and 6 machetes.

“Other items recovered include assorted mobile phones, sim cards, monitor and a laptop.

”One operational Hilux vehicle and various voodoo items and charms were also recovered.”

Nwachukwu said that investigations had revealed that the hideout served as the operational base of one Innocent Obieke, aka Double Lion.

He said Obieke was said to be the head of the vigilante group in the area, but surreptitiously coordinated the criminal activities of IPOB/ESN in the area.

According to him, the suspect is currently on the run, while troops have intensified operations to close in on him and his cohorts.

“Members of the general public are please enjoined to continue to support troops and other security agencies with credible and timely information that will lead to the arrest of criminal elements in their vicinity,” he said.