Two ‘IPOB members’ killed in gunfight with troops in Imo

Two gunmen suspected to be members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) have been killed by troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade in Imo state.

Onyema Nwachukwu, director, army public relations, said the gunmen were killed by the troops in a gun battle on Orlu–Orsu Road on Monday.

He said four other suspected IPOB members were arrested following the gun battle.

Nwachukwu said the incident took place while the troops were on routine patrol.

The army spokesperson said the gunmen opened fire and launched a grenade attack on the troops, noting that the soldiers responded with “superior firepower”.

“In a hot pursuit that followed the encounter, troops arrested four of the fleeing gunmen and recovered one AK 47 rifle, two magazines, one Police grenade launcher, two Baofeng communication radios and five mobile phones,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

“The troops also recovered one IPOB beret, two motorcycles, four SIM cards, five wallets containing different Identity cards, charms and the sum of N16, 460.

“Preliminary investigation on the suspects’ mobile phones reveals gory pictures and videos depicting scenes of cold-blooded murders, corpses displayed in shrines and other heinous atrocities committed by the criminals.”