TROOPS of 82 Division has raided the hideouts of IPOB/ESN terrorist group.
A statement by the Army Spokesman, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu disclosed that the raid was carried out in conjunction with Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police and Department of State Services.
The troops who were deployed for Exercise GOLDEN DAWN II conducted the joint raid operations on Monday 19 December 2022 located at Amagu village Nkalaha community, Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
“During the operation, the troops came in contact with members of the dissident group, resulting in exchange of fire. In the encounter, the gallant troops neutralized some of the terrorists, while others took to their heels abandoning the camp”.
The troops further recovered 102 rounds of 7.62mm special, two Pump Action guns, give locally made rifles, one roll of Detonator 27, quantity 24 Detonators, 33 electrical cables, quantity 12 of type 36 Hand Grenades and 12 bags of substances suspected to be Marijuana.
Other items recovered include, three Motorcycles, two Generators, 1 Water pumping machine, Military woodland camouflage and Nigeria Police uniform.
In a separate operation on the same date, troops on routine patrol in Agubeji community in Enugu state also arrested a suspect, Mr Martins Abogwu, for conniving with IPOB/ESN elements to unleash attacks on innocent citizens.
The suspect, who claimed he is the Chief Security Officer of the community is assisting in the preliminary investigations that followed and has led troops to their camp, where a shallow grave containing 2 decomposing bodies were uncovered.
One of the corpses has been identified as a member of the local vigilante, who was kidnapped about a month ago.
Nwachukwu said “the Nigerian Army reassures law abiding citizens of its unwavering resolve, in synergy with other services and security agencies to deny criminal elements the freedom of action and progressively rid the nation of identified threats”.
