Nigerian Army troops destroys IPOB/ESN hideout in Asaba, capture fighters and recover fire arms
Troops of the Nigerian Army and Department of State Services have destroyed an enclave of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Asaba, Delta.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement said the raid was conducted by troops of 63 Brigade Garrison under 6 Division and operatives of Department of State Services in a clearance operation on Saturday, July 22nd.
Mr Nwachukwu said the operation was part of the sustained effort to rid Nigeria of criminality.
He said the troops conducted a raid operation on the fortified enclave located in the middle of a forest in the early hours of Saturday.
According to him, the troops overpowered the IPOB fighters in the exchange of fire that followed the encounter, compelling them to abandon their hideout in disarray.
“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 Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja has commended the troops and other security agencies for their effort in the ongoing operations and has charged them to sustain the momentum to restore sanity in the region,” he said.
In a later development, Nwachukwu stated that the troops on further exploit and pursuit of the fleeing IPOB fighters captured one wounded fighter and recovered several additional items from the criminals.
Some of the items recovered are four Motorcycles, four Double Barrel guns, five AK 47 Magazines, 18 rounds of Live 7.62mm Special ammunition, 6 Mobile phones, two Power banks, six Boafeng Communication Radios and Chargers, an Android phone, one HP Laptop, 13 IPOB flags, one Power generating set, one Gas Cylinder, IPOB Uniforms and accoutrements as well as five improvised Beagles.
Other items are two ATM cards and a Wrist Watch.
