Troops kill eight ‘IPOB members’ in Anambra, recover weapons

Troops of operation UDO KA have killed eight suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Anambra state.

Jonah Unuakhalu, the spokesperson of the operation, said in a statement that the troops also apprehended five suspects.

Unuakhalu said the troops recovered two AK-47 rifles, one pump-action gun, four improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and a 12V/75-amp battery used for detonating the explosives.

“The gallant troops, who were on a clearance operation to an identified IPOB/ESN Ogunka Camp in the Orumba south local government area of Anambra state came in contact with the irredentists on arrival at the camp,” the statement reads.

“During the firefight, the irredentists attempted to flee through their escape route but were engaged by the blocking force, neutralising five of them.”

He added that on January 13, the troops in another operation arrested five suspected members of the IPOB and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Aguata LGA of the state.

He noted that the suspects were arrested on Ogboji Aguluzenechikwu road, while driving a black Ford Edge with registration number Abuja ABC 535 A.

“The suspects on reaching the Forward Operating Base (FOB) checkpoint decided to open the barricades to gain access to the base; however, the vigilant troops were able to stop them,” Unuakhalu said.

“On further search of the vehicle, the troops recovered one locally made pistol, three live cartridges, and nine mobile phones.”

Unuakhalu said the troops on January 8, during a routine patrol along Orsumoghu–Burrow Pit road in Anambra, killed three IPOB members.

He added that a soldier was killed after two IED cylinders discovered by the troops exploded while they were trying to detonate the devices.

He said troops of sector 1 also responded to a distress call about the abduction of some of passengers travelling along Igbo-Eze LGA of Enugu state.

“The troops forced them to release all the kidnapped passengers in batches, with the last two of their victims released yesterday. Efforts are still ongoing to discover the kidnappers’ den,” he added.