Nigeria Army Chides Ndigbo: Destruction Of NOUN Centre Not In People’s Interest

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Refutes alleged killing of Soldiers In Army Camp Ehime Mbano

The Nigerian Army, on Thursday, October 10, 2024, described as untrue and mere fabrications reports trending in the social media suggesting the killing of soldiers at Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo state.

The Source reports that the social media, on Wednesday, October 9, was awash with reports of several military and civilian deaths resulting from a purported confrontation between Soldiers and members of Biafra Liberation Army, allegedly, loyal to Finland-based Simon Ekpa.

However, in a statement on issued by the  Spokesperson for the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army Enugu, Jonah Unuakhalu, a Lt Col., the Army blamed the misinformation on some sympathizers of dissident groups .

” The 82 Division, Nigerian Army has been made aware of these baseless allegations circulating in some online media platforms, which asserts that an attack on our troops stationed at the Ehime Mbano Local Government Secretariat resulted in numerous casualties.

This narrative is a fabrication originating from the minds of the terrorist indigenous Peoples of Biafra IPOB and their supporters aimed at undermining the confidence of the people of Imo and, by extension, the entire South East region in the abilities of the military to protect  lives and properties, “the Army statement reads in part.

According to the spokesman, the Headquarters of Isiala Mbano local Council was actually attacked and destroyed by some members of the IPOB/ESN on October 3.

But, he said, there were no attacks and or casualties on the troops or civilians as being claimed by the various media reports

Col. Unuakhalu noted that a similar attack that  took place on October 3 was re- enacted at the Ehime Mbano Local Government Headquarters on Wednesday October 8, 2024.

But unlike the October 3 Isiala Mbano attack which led to the destruction of public facilities, the Army spokesperson said that valiant troops were able to frustrate the efforts of the hoodlums to unleash mayhem on the Council’s Secretariat .

“The armed assailants who approached in large numbers and fired indiscriminately from a distance, were forced to retreat due to the superior firepower of our vigilant and courageous troops .

“In a follow-up operation conducted early today ( Thursday October 10) evidence of heavy casualties among the dissidents was confirmed as indicated by blood stains found on the Ehime Mbano-Oriagwu Road”, he stated.

While urging the public to disregard the spate of misinformation being peddled in the media, the Army spokesman, expressed the readiness and commitment of troops to safeguard the people and also confront the criminal elements disturbing the peace and stability of the region.

He called on the people of the South East geo-political zone to collectively condemn the unapatriotic acts of destroying public facilities in the name of agitations.

“This cowardly actions of these dissidents who destroy public buildings funded by taxpayers, where law abiding citizens earn their livelihoods, is unfortunate.

“The IPOB elements demonstrate that they are not acting in the interest of the people, but for their own selfish motives.

“The 82 Division Headquarters encourages all Imolites and residents of the South East to continue providing security information that will assist law enforcement agencies in eliminating these criminal elements” the statement further reads.