Troops, IPOB engage in gunfight
Nigerian Army has said its troops engaged suspected terrorists belonging to the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra and it’s militant wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in exchange of fire deep inside a forest in Asaba, Delta state on Saturday.
The army said that the terrorists hideout was cleared after the operation.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu said the troops “overpowered” the IPOB fighters and forced to “abandon” their hideout.
He added, “The troops captured one of the fleeing fighters and recovered five AK 47 Rifles, three Pump Action Semi-Automatic Rifles, one G3 Rifle and one single barrel gun.
“Other items recovered, include Live Cartridges, Electric Saw, Machetes, an Axe and IPOB flag.
“The troops have destroyed the enclave and are exploiting the forest in pursuit of the fleeing fighters.”
The secessionist group is associated with Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently being detained.
The government, last year, forcefully renditioned Kanu to answer to terrorism charges after he jumped bail. The court would later rule the Nigerian Government did not observe due process in the extradition process.
Kanu got a reprieve as the court equally quashed the terrorism charges, a ruling the government is seeking to upturn at the Supreme Court.
TheCornet reports that Nigeria faces acute insecurity, especially insurgency, terrorism and banditry. The situation is a major contributor to the rising food prices and the striking poverty assailing millions of citizens in the Africa’s most populous economy.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who is defending his controversial win the February presidential poll, has vowed to deploy state power in tackling insecurity and making Nigerians live safely in their own country.
