Five Soldiers, Two Police Operatives Wounded After ESN Fighters Denoted IED As Troops Raided Their Hideouts

Five soldiers and two police operatives were wounded after the Eastern Security Network, ESN fighters detonated an Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) when troops raided their hideouts on July 31st, 2023.

ESN is the armed wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Combined troops of the 82 Division Nigerian Army, sister services, Nigeria Police, and other security agencies raided the hideouts and training camps belonging to IPOB/ESN in Orsomoghu Forest spanning Anambra and Imo States.

The raid was in ongoing operations to deter enforcement of the illegal sit-at-home declared by IPOB.

This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday, August 1, by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu

“The raid operation was carried out on Monday 31 July 2023, when troops were alerted to the violent activities of the irredentist group enforcing the illegal 2 weeks sit-at-home order in Onitsha, Nnewi, and Iheme Obosi in Anambra State, as well as New Market in Enugu state,” the statement reads.

“During the raid operations, 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 (IED) also known as Ogbunigwe, and fired using locally fabricated mortar tube.

“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 and recovery of one IPOB flag, one CCTV camera and 2 detonated IED bombs, and a fabricated mortar tube.

“Sadly, five soldiers and two Nigeria Police operatives sustained varying degrees of injuries from the IED detonated by the criminals.”

The statement called on all law-abiding citizens of the South East to continue to support ongoing operations with actionable information and to disregard the unlawful 2 weeks sit-at-home order by going about their normal daily activities and businesses.

In other news, Kanyi Daily reported that Nigeria’s president Bola Tinubu has arrived in Cotonou, Benin Republic to attend the 63rd anniversary of that country.

Tinubu and his entourage were received by Benin Republic President, Patrice Talon and key government officials.