Sit-at-home: Troops clear IPOB camps in Ekeututu, Orsomoghu, Lilu, destroy hideouts
By Emma Ogbuehi
In ongoing operations to deter enforcement of the illegal sit at home declared by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), combined troops of 82 Division Nigerian Army, sister Services, Nigeria Police and other security agencies have successfully raided hideouts and training camps belonging to IPOB/ESN in Orsomoghu Forest spanning Anambra and Imo States.
According to a release by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the operation was carried out on Monday 31 July 2023, when troops were alerted to the violent activities of the irredentist group enforcing the illegal 2 weeks sit-at-home order in Onitsha, Nnewi and Iheme Obosi in Anambra State, as well as New Market in Enugu state.
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Nwachukwu added that during the raid operations, the troops cleared IPOB camps in Ekeututu, Orsomoghu, Lilu and Mother Valley camps of the dissidents.
The release stated in parts:
“Troops came in contact with the group’s armed fighters, who detonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) also known as Ogbunigwe and fired using locally fabricated mortar tube. The valiant troops however overpowered the irredentist group in the firefight, compelling them to abandon their position as they fled with gunshot wounds into nearby bushes. Further cordon and search of the hideouts by the troops, led to the arrest of five fleeing members of the group and recovery of one IPOB flag, one CCTV camera and 2 detonated IED bombs and a fabricated mortar tube.
“Sadly, five soldiers and two Nigeria Police operatives sustained varying degrees of injuries from the IED detonated by the criminals.
“The Nigerian Army encourages all law-abiding citizens of the South East to continue to support ongoing operations with actionable information and to disregard the unlawful 2 weeks sit-at-home order by going about their normal daily activities and businesses.
“The Nigerian Army in synergy with sister services and security agencies will undauntedly continue to protect and safeguard lives and property of the good and enterprising people of South East Nigeria, within the ambit of the law and the rules of engagement”.
The Army had last week, restated its resolve to end all incidences of insecurity in the south east geo-political zone and restore peace in the area. To that effect, the new General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Enugu, Major General Hassan Dada, had vowed that all non-state actors would be pursued and all forms of criminality stamped out in the region forthwith.
Dada made the disclosure during a familiarisation visit to Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State at the Government House in Owerri, the Imo State capital, having just assumed his new office as the GOC 82 Division.