The troops of the Nigerian Army in a joint operation with the Nigerian Navy have neutralised no fewer than five Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) fighters at Ejemekuru in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.

The Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.

Nwachukwu stated that the IPOB fighters were killed by the troops in a firefight that ensued at Ejemekuru on Tuesday, March 5.

He said the troops, after overpowering the gunmen’s resistance with overwhelming firepower, recovered dangerous weapons, including one AK-47 rifle, two pump-action semi-automatic rifles, one locally fabricated gun, two magazines and three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

He noted that the troops also recovered two motorbikes, two mobile handsets, and a camouflage jungle hat from the IPOB fighters.

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The army spokesperson disclosed that the troops deployed for counter-insurgency operations in the North-West region of the country, in another operation on Tuesday, rescued 15 kidnapped victims in the Tsohuwar Tasha area of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Nwachukwu said the troops responded swiftly to a distress call and immediately mobilised to the scene of the incident where they engaged the gunmen in a shootout, overpowering and compelling them to abandon their victims, as they scampered into the forest.

He stated that the 15 abductees were rescued unharmed.

He added: “The Nigerian Army remains resolute in its commitment to mitigating security challenges in troubled areas of the country.

“We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to security agencies, as we continue in our untiring efforts to ensure peace and security in the country.”

The Star