Soldiers Rout Alleged IPOB/ESN Camps, Uncover Bodies Of Murdered Victms Dumped In Deep Well

By Charles Igbo

The Nigerian Army says it has routed the camps of those it described as criminals who had put residents and travellers through hell in Azia-Orsumoghu-Lilu-Ihiala in  Anambra and Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.

For weeks, those areas take the cake as the most dangerous in the South-east area of Nigeria.

According  to the Army, in a release signed by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the successful operations held  on Wednesday, February 23 and Thursday, February 24, 2022.

During what Nwachukwu called clearance operations, Soldiers overpowered and trounced the criminals. They also discovered decomposing bodies, apparently, of kidnapped victims who were murdered and dumped in a deep well.

The troops neutralized one of the criminals and arrested three suspects. They also recovered “one Pump Action Shotgun,  two live Cartridges,  two mobile phones, One black coloured Toyota Hilux vehicle, and a polythene bag containing substances suspected to be Cannabis.”

Brigadier-General Nwachukwu’s statement reads:

“Troops of 82 Division Nigerian Army on Wednesday, 23, February, 2022, conducted Operations to clear criminal havens, from where members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN) operate at Azia, Orsumoghu, Lilu Forest, Mbosi and Uli in Ihiala and Orsu Local Government Areas of Anambra and Imo States respectively.

“During the clearance operations, troops overpowered and routed the dissidents, who staged an ambush against the gallant troops.

“The troops then proceeded to clear Lilu Forest, where they were met with resistance from the outlawed group.

“The criminals were, again, over-ran by the troops who effectively cleared Lilu Forest and the adjoining areas earlier occupied by the dissidents.

“During the clearance operations, the troops uncovered decomposing remains of kidnapped and murdered victims dumped in a deep well by members of the irredentist groups.

“While conducting the operations, the unrelenting troops encountered and cleared four ambush sites along roads Orsumoghu-Mbosi – Ihiala-Uli, dislodging the irredentists from their criminal havens.

“The gallant troops neutralized one of the criminals, arrested three suspects and recovered one Pump Action Shotgun,  two live Cartridges,  two mobile phones, One black coloured Toyota Hilux vehicle, a polythene bag containing substances suspected to be Cannabis and the sum of #1, 920.

“In a separate operation conducted today, 24, February, 2022, troops of 82 Division Nigerian Army in collaboration with the Nigerian Police have bursted an IPOB/ESN syndicate that disrupted the just concluded Local Government Council elections at some polling stations in Nkanu West of Enugu State.

“During the intelligence driven operation, carried out around Centenary Estate Obeagu Uno, troops uncovered 7 AK 47 rifles, 2 Pump Action rifles, 10 rifle Magazines, 8 live cartridges, 74 live rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, one hand grenade, a tipper truck containing 3 corpses among other items.

“The items have been handed over to Enugu State Police Command for further action.

“The Nigerian Army reassures residents of South East Nigeria of our commitment to restoring lasting peace in the region.”