13 ESN Members killed, Some others Killed in Enugu, Ebonyi

During a firefight in the Nkanu area of Enugu state, Nigerian troops and other security agencies operating in the Southeast neutralized one commander and five other members of the Eastern Security Network and IPOB, while 13 other members of the secessionist group were arrested.

Brig-Gen Bernard Onyeuko, Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, made these revelations during a media briefing on military operations against criminal elements, armed bandits, and terrorists in Abuja on Thursday.

He said, in South East operations, “One ESN commander was neutralized and another apprehended.”

“Cumulatively, a total of 6 IPOB/ESN members were neutralized and 13 criminal elements were arrested by troops and other security forces operating in the Zone.

See also IPOB Declares Sit-at-home Every Monday Until Nnamdi Kanu is Released.

This occurred during a security forces ambush against six IPOB/ESN militants who were engaged in the killing of a District Police Officer (DPO) in Omuma Town, Orlu East LGA, Imo State. Three more people were apprehended.

Furthermore, following an intelligence tip, security agents apprehended a known IPOB/ESN member named Obumneke Gabriel in Umueli Amaraku Town, Isiala Mbano LGA, Imo State.

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During the arrest, the offender was in possession of weapons and ammo.

“Relatedly, troops raided IPOB/ESN members’ hideout at Amaechi Idodo community in Nkanu LGA of Enugu State and Nguzu Edda in Afikpo South LGA of Ebonyi State.

“Troops also recovered a total of 19 AK-47 rifles, 2 single barrel Dane guns, one G3 assault rifle and 3 locally-made pistols. Other items recovered were 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 3 daggers, and one locally-made double barrel pistol loaded with 10 rounds of cartridges were recovered in the course of the operations.