Troops foiled an attempt by the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its Eastern Security Network (ESN) members to wreak havoc on two communities in Imo on Monday.
When troops conducting Exercise Golden Dawn intervened, the outlawed IPOB/ESN members attempted to wreak havoc on the communities of Mgbidi and Awo-Mmamma in Imo’s Oru West Local Government Area.
Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, stated this in a statement made available to journalists on Monday in Enugu.
According to Nwachukwu, the group targeted residents of the two communities for refusing to comply with its illegal “sit-at-home” order for Monday, December 6.
“The attackers, who were mounted on two Sienna buses and a Toyota Hilux truck, were forced to abandon their mission and withdraw in disarray due to the quick response of troops.”
“Troops are currently on the lookout for the criminals,” he said.
Separately, troops discovered four Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by IPOB/ESN members on the Orlu-Owerri Road, according to an army spokesman.
“Vigilant troops on a reinforcement mission to Mgbidi/Awo-Mmama detected and safely defused IEDs planted about 15 meters apart on both sides of the road.”
“There were no casualties reported during the diffusion.”
“The troops also discovered four bundles of unexploded ordnance, one motorcycle battery, two vehicle alarm devices, one detonator, wires, and batteries.”
“The road has been safely cleared, and motorists have resumed their journey,” he said.
Nwachukwu urged all law-abiding citizens to go about their daily lives and disregard the proscribed group’s illegal “sit-at-home” order.
“We appeal to the good people of Mgbidi, Awo-Mmama, and Omuma to report to relevant security agencies any suspected member of the irredentist group who may be seeking a safe haven,” he said.
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