The Nigerian Army announced that soldiers from the 34 Artillery Brigade have eliminated members of the banned terrorist organization, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), along with its armed group, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Osina, located in the Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State. In a statement shared on its official social media platforms (Facebook, X, and WhatsApp), the Army mentioned that the troops, while coming back from regular patrols, acted on an emergency call about an IPOB/ESN assault on the Osina Community. When they arrived, the troops confronted the terrorists with superior firepower, causing the insurgents to retreat chaotically. “Sadly, two security personnel lost their lives during the operation, and one is currently unaccounted for.” The terrorists took away their weapons, which included an AK-47 rifle and a tear gas launcher. The bodies of the killed agents were retrieved, and the troops continued to chase the escaping terrorists,” the statement noted. It also mentioned that contact was re-established with the criminal IPOB/ESN groups in Nkwachi Community. During the subsequent gun battle, one of the rebels was eliminated, and the others, unable to endure the troops’ fire, escaped into the adjacent woods. A fully loaded AK-47 rifle was recovered, along with five additional AK-47 rifles, one Fabrique Nationale rifle, and five magazines, resulting in a total of six AK-47 rifles and a tear gas launcher. The statement mentioned that further investigations are underway as troops pursue the injured terrorists to flush them out of their hiding spots and medical treatment locations. The Army urged all IPOB/ESN extremists and other criminals hiding in the bushes to surrender at the nearest military location or face consequences, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring that residents of Imo can celebrate the Yuletide season peacefully and without fear. “We also encourage peace-loving residents of Imo to continue assisting the military by providing timely information about the hideouts and movements of terrorists, which will help us eliminate criminal activity in the state,” it stated.
