A combined team of the Nigerian Army in conjunction with sister services and other security agencies have neutralised an Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) expert of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Orsu – Ihitteukwa, Orsu local government area of Imo State.
A statement by the Nigerian Army on its official X handle, said the troops comprising the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Nigerian Police, Department of States Services and the Nigeria Securities and Civil Defence Corps encountered the separatist group on Wednesday, 2 May 2024.
The statement said troops while on a clearance operation around Udaah, Identa Ihitteukwa and Awo Idemili in Orsu LGA of Imo State, made contact with the separatist group, who opened fire, threw hand-held IEDs and launched locally made rockets locally called Ogbunigwe, at the advancing troops.
The added that the troops advanced despite several IEDs that were detonated by the terrorists who fled in the encounter with the Nigerian forces.
In the process, one of the dissidents was neutralised, while connecting the explosive to its power source.
Locally made rocket launchers, defused IEDs, pipes, wires and other materials used in the production of explosives and locally made rocket launchers were recovered by the troops in the clearance operation.
The statement added that troops also covered several ditches used as obstacles on the roads linking the communities by the ESN elements.
