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Two Soldiers Killed, One Missing As Troops Neutralise IPOB/ESN Fighters In Imo
The bodies of the fallen soldiers were recovered, and the troops launched a pursuit of the assailants.
Owerri, Imo State– Two Nigerian soldiers have been killed, and another remains missing following a confrontation with members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN).
It was gathered that the incident occurred on Friday in Osina, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Captain Joseph Baba Akubo, disclosed that troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade neutralized several IPOB/ESN fighters during the gun battle.
Akubo said that the confrontation occurred when the troops, returning from routine patrols, responded to a distress call about an attack on Osina Community.
They swiftly engaged the assailants, who were caught off guard and forced to retreat under overwhelming firepower.
The statement read, “Regrettably, two soldiers were killed during the exchange, and their weapons, including an AK-47 rifle and a tear gas launcher, were seized by the fleeing attackers. Efforts to locate the missing soldier are ongoing.
He explained that the bodies of the fallen soldiers were recovered, and the troops launched a pursuit of the assailants.
“Another encounter occurred at Nkwachi Community, where the soldiers engaged the dissidents in an intense firefight. One of the fighters was neutralized, and an AK-47 rifle with a fully loaded magazine was recovered. The remaining assailants fled into a nearby forest.
According to Akubo, “Undeterred, the troops pressed deeper into Umalouma Forest, where a fierce encounter ensued. Overwhelmed by the troops’ firepower, the dissidents abandoned their weapons and fled into the dense forest with severe injuries.
The following items were recovered: Five AK-47 rifles,One Fabrique Nationale rifle,Two magazines, One tear gas laulauncher.
He added that the troops continue to exploit the area, trailing the injured terrorists and seeking to dismantle their hideouts and places of refuge.
“Members of IPOB/ESN and other criminal elements are urged to surrender to the nearest military location or face decisive action. The Brigade remains committed to ensuring that the people of Imo State enjoy a peaceful and secure Yuletide season, free from fear or intimidation.
“We appeal to peace-loving residents of Imo State to support ongoing military operations by providing timely intelligence on the movements and hideouts of these criminal elements. Together, we can rid the state of all forms of criminality,” Akubo added.
