Joint Force battles IPOB/ESN fighters, arrests 5, kills 2

A Joint Force of combined troops of 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police and Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) engaged a team of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in a fierce exchange of gunfire at Fuji Junction general area in Asaba, Delta State, killing two IPOB/ESN separatist fighters, arresting five others.

IPOB member brought down by security operatives in Asaba during shootout

The Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, in statement on Tuesday, disclsoed that the military intervention occurred on Monday.

Weapons recovered from ESN members after gun battle in Asaba on Monday

The Director said that the encounter followed distress calls that the community was under attack by the terrorists, to which the combined troops swiftly responded.

The terrorists, he said, succumbed to the overwhelming fire power of the troops, after two of their members fell in the fire fight that ensued, while the survivors fled to their hideout around Okpanam river.

Brigadier Onyema said that the gallant troops in pursuit of the fleeing criminal elements, successfully trailed them to their enclave in a house around 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.
The full statement reads:

Another IPOB/ESN fighter brought down during gun battle with combined team of Army and Police in Asaba

Nigerian Army
@HQNigerianArmy

COMBINED TROOPS NEUTRALIZE ESN/IPOB FIGHTERS IN ENCOUNTER

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 17 July 2023 at Fuji Junction general area in Asaba, Delta state. The encounter followed distress calls that the community was under attack by the terrorists, to which the combined troops swiftly responded.

The terrorists succumbed to the overwhelming fire power of the troops, after two of their members fell in the fire fight that ensued, while the survivors fled to their hideout around Okpanam river.

The gallant troops in pursuit of the fleeing criminal elements, successfully trailed them to their enclave in a house around 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.

We implore members of the public to continue to cooperate with the security agencies by providing actionable information to support their operations to tackle security challenges.

The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja has lauded the combined troops for their effort and urged them to sustain the synergy, as they restore peace and tranquility in the region.

ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations
18 July 2023