Troops thwart terrorists in Imo, Kwara

Nigerian army troops have engaged and thwarted terrorist elements in Imo and Kwara States, as part of the continued counter-insurgency operations.

On Monday, a statement announced that a joint operation involving troops and other security agencies resulted in successful raids on various hideouts of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), yielding the capture of high-ranking terrorist leaders and the confiscation of a substantial arsenal of weapons and ammunition.

It said that one of the raid operations was conducted in Orlu Local Government Area (LGA), targeting notorious kingpins, namely Izuchukwu Emejuru, aka “Kingkong,” and Chibuzor Chikwe, alias “Onyema.”

It added: “The raid resulted in the arrest of these suspects and the confiscation of a variety of weapons, including a Semi automatic pump-action gun, a locally made gun, and a pistol.

“Additionally, valuable items belonging to Eze Ogberuru, whose palace was earlier desecrated and burnt with his belongings carted away by ESN elements, were recovered by the troops.”

The statement added that in another decisive operation, troops raided the hideout of a suspected IPOB/ESN kingpin identified as Chinemerem, aka “Bam Bam,” in Ezeinyen Okwe Umucheke, Onuimo LGA.

It stressed that the operation led to the neutralisation of Chinemerem, as he attempted to reach for his weapon and the arrest of several of his accomplices.

It noted: “A substantial amount of weapons, ammunition, and IPOB/ESN paraphernalia were seized, and the hideout was subsequently destroyed.

“Further demonstrating their resolve, troops intercepted suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists at a hideout in Amausa, Okigwe LGA. Overpowered in the ensuing shootout, the terrorists were forced to flee in disarray, abandoning a cache of ammunition and motorcycles.

“The troops recovered 72 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm (NATO) ammunition, four rounds of 7.62 mm (Special), 3 rounds of 5.56mm, one FN Rifle, a pair of military desert boots and one green beret.”

In a separate but related incident, the statement further revealed that troops successfully located and apprehended a suspected terrorist, identified as Ibrahim Abdullahi, in the Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.

As a result of the operation, troops recovered an AK-47 rifle, various magazines, and a cache of ammunition, the statement revealed.