Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed two fighters as they uncovered and destroyed a major firearms and drone manufacturing factory operated by armed fighters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militia arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) at Onicha Ulona in Aniocha South local government area of Delta State.
A statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Maj.Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu said the troops also arrested six suspects in the fire fight that ensued with members of the outlawed group.
Gen. Nwachukwu said intelligence revealed that the dissidents were using the factory to carryout criminal activities to terrorize neighbouring communities and innocent citizens.
He said the troops who swooped on the illegal factory met with stiff resistance but overpowered the armed fighters in the fierce firefight that followed
Speaking on those arrested, the Army spokesman said troops apprehended four male and two female fighters during the operation.
He added that a substantial cache of arms and ammunition were recovered at the end of the fierce encounter with the IPOB fighters.
Nwachukwu listed items recovered from the fighters to include a wide range of firearms, ammunition, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the drone manufacturing factory.
Other include a variety of weapons, drones under construction, with prototypes, a fully equipped workshop and power generating sets.
He assured of troops’ unalloyed commitment to dismantling terrorists’ and insurgents’ networks in their effort to mitigate security challenges in the nation.
Nwachukwu further urged the general public to support the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, as they strive to restore peace and stability in the country.
