Troops Kill 2 Kidnappers, 1 ESN Member In Imo

Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Udo Ka have killed two kidnappers and one member of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Imo State.

They also foiled an attempt to kidnap a law-abiding a man at Umuaka community in Njaba area of Imo.

The spokesman of Joint Task Force, Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, who disclosed this in a statement in Enugu yesterday, said the kidnap was foiled by troops on routine patrol on Friday.

Unuakhalu stated that in the fire fight that ensued, the troops killed one of the kidnappers and injured two others despite their attempt to use passers-by as human shields.

He said the troops while on routine patrol at Umuaka, along Orlu-Owerri Road, were alerted on the kidnap incident and escape route of the kidnappers.

He said: “The troops swiftly pursued the kidnappers and made contact with them.

“The troops recovered one AK 47 rifle with two loaded magazines and a motorcycle,” he said.

The spokesman said that similarly, troops in conjunction with personnel of the Naval Base, Oguta, killed a member of IPOB and its Eastern Security Network (ESN) terrorist group at Amagberedere village in Oguta.