Nigerian Army troops and Department of State Services have destroyed the hideout of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network after a gun duel in Asaba, Delta.
This was made known in statement on Saturday by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, noting that the raid was conducted by troops of 63 Brigade Garrison under 6 Division and operative of DSS in a clearance operation.
Nwachukwu said in the statement that the operation was part of the sustained effort to cleanse the country of criminal elements, adding that the troops conducted a raid operation on the strong hideout located in the middle of a high ground forest in the early hours of Saturday.
Brig-Gen Nwachukwu said the gallant troops overpowered the IPOB fighters in a gun battle that followed the encounter, compelling them to abandon their hideout in confusion.
The statement read, “The troops captured one of the fleeing fighters and recovered five AK 47 Rifles, three Pump Action Semi-Automatic Rifles, one G3 Rifle and one single barrel gun.
“Other items recovered include Live Cartridges, Electric Saw, Machetes, an Axe and IPOB flag.
“The troops have destroyed the enclave and are exploiting the forest in pursuit of the fleeing fighters.
“The Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja has commended the troops and other security agencies for their effort in the ongoing operations and has charged them to sustain the momentum to restore sanity in the region.”
