Joint security forces have arrested five suspected members of the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network, IPOB/ESN, during raids, dismantling of their hideouts and training camps at Orsomoghu Forest, a border community between Anambra and Imo states.
The troops comprising personnel of the 82 Division Division Nigerian Army, Police, and other security agencies raided the forest in Ihiala Local Government of Anambra and parts of Orsu LGA of Imo State on Monday.
In a statement yesterday, the spokesman for the Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said five soldiers and two policemen sustained various injuries from Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs) detonated by the dissidents.
Nwachukwu said the raid was part of ongoing operations to stop the enforcement of the illegal sit-at-home declared by IPOB/ESN.
He said the troops were alerted to the violence of the group enforcing the illegal two weeks sit-at-home order in Onitsha, Nnewi and Ihembosi in Anambra, as well as New Market in Enugu states.
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“During the raids, the troops cleared IPOB camps in Ekeututu, Orsomoghu, Lilu and Mother Valley camps of the dissidents.
“Troops came in contact with the group’s armed fighters who detonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), also known as Ogbunigwe, and fired using locally fabricated mortar tube. Sadly, five soldiers and two police officers sustained various injuries as a result of the detonated IEDs.
“The valiant troops however overpowered the irredentist group in the firefight, compelling them to abandon their position as they fled with gunshot wounds into nearby bushes.
“Further cordon and search of the hideouts by the troops, led to the arrest of five fleeing members of the group in the camps.
“It also led to the recovery of one IPOB flag, one CCTV camera and two detonated IED bombs and a fabricated mortar tube,” Nwachukwu said.
The Army called on law-abiding people of the Southeast Region to disregard the two weeks sit-at-home order by IPOB/ESN.
The security agency urged the people to go about their normal and lawful daily activities and businesses.
It urged law-abiding citizens in the region to continue to support ongoing operations with information.
Nwachukwu stated that the Army, in synergy with sister services and security agencies, will continue to protect and safeguard lives and property of the people in the region.
He assured that the security agency will continue to work professionally.
