By Amah
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Troops from the 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army have dealt serious blow on some elements of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network, ESN, in an encounter at Osina, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State.
In a statement on its verified social media handles (Facebook, X, and WhatsApp), it disclosed that the troops, were returning from routine patrols, when it responded to a distress call regarding an IPOB/ESN attack on Osina Community, resulting in fierce gun duel that forced the dissidents to withdraw in disarray.
It added that contact was again made with the criminal IPOB/ESN elements at Nkwachi Community. In the ensuing firefight, one of the dissidents was neutralized, while others, unable to withstand the troops’ firepower, fled into the nearby forest. One AK-47 rifle with a fully loaded magazine was recovered.
Also, the troops recovered five AK-47 rifles, one Fabrique Nationale rifle, and five magazines, bringing the total to six AK-47 rifles and a tear gas launcher.
The statement noted that further exploitation is ongoing as troops continue to trail the injured terrorists to smoke them out of their hideouts and places of treatment.
The Army advised all IPOB/ESN irredentists and other criminal elements hiding in the bushes to surrender at the nearest troop location or face their demise, as the Brigade remains committed to ensuring that Imo residents celebrate the Yuletide season in peace, without fear or intimidation.
“We also appeal to peace-loving Imo residents to continue supporting the military by providing timely intelligence on the hideouts and movements of the terrorists to enable us to rid the state of all criminality,” it said.
