By Adadainfo
Two members of the Eastern Security Network ‘about to use their rocket launchers on the troops’ of the Nigerian Army have been killed, Nigerian Army stated Wednesday.
Army, in a statement by its director of army public relations, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, said the alleged neutralised
ESN members were about to raid communities in Orsu Ihitte Ukwa and Ihitte Nansa in Imo State when they met their waterloo.
Nwachukwu said the operations were conducted jointly with the Nigerian Navy, Air Force and other security operatives in the state.
According to him, “Troops of Headquarters 82 Division Nigerian Army made up of troops of 34 Artillery Brigade, in conjunction with troops of Nigerian Navy, Air Force and other security agencies on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, neutralised two combatants of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its militant wing, the Eastern Security Network, along Eke Ututu–Ihitte Nansa road in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.
“The troops encountered the dissidents while carrying out a raid operation around the general area of Orsu Ihitte Ukwa and Ihitte Nansa.
“The neutralised members had taken positions to launch one of their primed rocket launchers, when they were engaged and taken out by the vigilant troops.
“The fearless troops were unhurt, as Improvised Explosive Devices deployed by the irredentists exploded at Eke Ututu market, destroying some of the shops in the market.
“Eke Ututu market has recently become a flash point as dissidents often ambush troops using explosives and firearms from within and around the market, while troops are on routine patrol.
“After the incident, the Explosive Ordinance Device team recovered several Improvised Explosive Devices planted along the road, as well as locally fabricated rocket launchers.”
The spokesman of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Emma Powerful, is yet to react. He had earlier claimed ESN is not masterminds of crimes ravaging South-East parts of the state.
