IED event in Imo, Ekeututu area, Nigeria on Tue 1st August 2023

The Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police and other security agencies, has carried out a successful operation, raiding hideouts and training camps belonging to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the Orsomoghu forest, which spans Anambra and Imo States. Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, released a statement on Tuesday, informing that the operation was prompted by the violent activities of IPOB-ESN in Onitsha, Nnewi, and Iheme Obosi in Anambra State, as well as New Market in Enugu State. During the operation, the troops effectively cleared IPOB camps in Ekeututu, Orsomoghu, Lilu, and Mother Valley camps, which were occupied by the dissidents. Encountering the armed fighters of the group, the troops faced Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) detonation, also known as Ogbunigwe, using locally fabricated mortar tubes. Despite the resistance, the brave troops managed to overpower the irredentist group, forcing them to abandon their positions as they fled with gunshot wounds into nearby bushes. The operation resulted in the arrest of five fleeing members of the group. Additionally, the security forces recovered one IPOB flag, one CCTV camera, two detonated IED bombs, and a fabricated mortar tube. Unfortunately, five soldiers and two Nigeria Police operatives sustained injuries due to the IED detonation by the criminals. The statement encouraged law-abiding citizens in the South-East to continue supporting ongoing operations with actionable information. Moreover, they are urged to disregard the unlawful two weeks sit-at-home order and carry on with their normal daily activities and businesses.