Five IPOB fighters killed by Nigerian Army, Navy in Imo

Five combatants from the Indigenous People of Biafra were slain by Nigerian Army and Navy personnel during a gunfight at Ejemekuru in the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.

The clash between the army and IPOB fighters in the state's Orsu LG took place a few days prior to the encounter with the fighters from IPOB.

During the operation, the military killed an IPOB fighter and took from their hideouts three IEDs, one Toyota Highlander SUV, one Hilux car, and eight rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.

One AK-47 weapon and two pump-action semi-automatic rifles were among the items found by the forces during the combined operations, according to a statement released on Wednesday by Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations.

The statement read, “In a successful raid operation conducted into identified IPOB/ESN camps on Tuesday 5 March 2024, combined Nigerian Army and Nigerian Navy troops have neutralised five armed fighters in a firefight that ensued at Ejemekuru in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.

“On overpowering the Armed separatists’ resistance with overwhelming firepower, the gallant troops recovered a significant cache of dangerous weapons including one AK-47 rifle, 2 Pump-action Semi-automatic rifles, one locally fabricated gun, 2 magazines, and 3 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition. The troops also recovered 2 motorbikes, 2 mobile handsets, and a Camouflage jungle hat.”

In addition, Onyema reported that fifteen victims who had been abducted during counter-insurgency operations in the Northwest had been freed.

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