IPOB/ESN Members invade Asaba, Army killed two, five captured

Abuja, NIGERIA — No less than two contenders of the prohibited IPOB Biafra agitators have been killed during a joint activity by the Nigerian Armed force, Police, and Division of State Security Services in Asaba, Delta State capital.

According to a statement on Tuesday by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, security offices in the area got trouble calls from occupants locally and conveyed men to the area.

He said the IPOB members drew in the agents in a wild weapon fight, adding that because of the predominant force of the security specialists, the lawbreakers pulled out to their refuge.

Onyewa added that the IPOB members were followed to their camps where five individuals were captured and weapons recuperated from them.

The statement read, “Combined troops of 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police and Operatives of the Department of State Services have neutralized two IPOB/ESN fighters and arrested five others after a fierce encounter that took place on Monday, July 17, 2023, at Fuji Junction general area in Asaba, Delta state.

“The encounter followed distress calls that the community was under attack by terrorists, to which the combined troops swiftly responded. The terrorists succumbed to the overwhelming firepower of the troops, after two of their members fell in the firefight that ensued, while the survivors fled to their hideout around the Okpanam River.

“The troops in pursuit of the fleeing criminal elements successfully trailed them to their enclave in a house around the Okpanam River, where they were nabbed. The troops also recovered one AK 47 Rifle, one Pump Action Semi-Automatic Rifle, 15 Live Cartridges, one AK 47 Rifle Magazine, and a Baofeng Radio Receiver.”

He said the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, lauded the combined troops for their effort, urging them to sustain the synergy.

Onyema entreated people in general to keep helping out security organizations by giving noteworthy data to help their activities.