Troops of 82 Division Nigerian Army conducting Exercise GOLDEN DAWN have killed four gunmen of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra/ Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) in a shoot-out at Nnobi Junction, Idemili South, Anambra, on Friday.
The confrontation followed the group’s attack on federal troops stationed at Ekwulobia Round About in Aguata Local Government Area of the state, according to a statement by Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, director of Army public relations.
The federal troops mobilised to the scene and subsequently embarked on pursuit of the criminals along Nnewi-Nnobi road; they subsequently engaged the criminals, and neutralized four of them.
The gallant troops also recovered two AK-47 Rifles, one GALIL Ace 5.56 x 45 Iwi Gun, one Avofeng Hand held radio and one Black Highlander jeep.
Sadly, one of the security agencies paid the supreme price.
Two DSS officers on campaign duty were also killed by gunmen in Anambra on Friday.
In a separate operation, troops have foiled another attack by IPOB/ESN gunmen at Umunze Checkpoint, in Orumba South Local Government Area.
Nwachukwu said the vigilant troops overwhelmed the attackers in the shootout that ensued, forcing them to take to their heels, leaving behind one Pump Action gun with nine cartridges, one dark blue Ford and four motorcycles.
The Nigerian Army notes that the recent attacks are part of proscribed IPOB/ESN plan to instill fear into the public and sabotage forthcoming Anambra state governorship election.
But a video of dead gunmen surrounded by onlookers speaking Igbo has been circulating online.
The bystanders were heard insisting the dead criminals, with waistbands, rings, and amulets, are not IPOB members, but Fulani.
“We know our brothers. These ones are Fulani, the unknown gunmen”, one said.
“Unknown gunmen” has become the alias for secessionist bandits operating in the southeast, including IPOB armed with guns and charms.