- Kill “some gunmen in a fire fight that ensued,” recover weapons, otehrs
Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets, along with Nigerian Army (NA) troops and other security agencies have dislodged a notorious stronghold of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN) at Lilu Forest, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Lilu, a border town between Imo and Anambra States, was a well-known stronghold and operational base of the IPOB/ESN.
Nigerian Army Spokesperson, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said in a statement that “the operations, which was conducted in the early hours of Monday 17 January 2022, led to the neutralization of some gunmen in a fire fight that ensued.
“After dislodging the dissidents from their fortress, the dogged troops recovered 10 Pump Action Shotguns, two locally fabricated guns, One Revolver pistol, rounds of 7.62 mm special, live cartridges, machettes and IPOB flags. Other items recovered are mobile phones, laptops amongst other dangerous weapons.
“The operation was jointly conducted by troops of 82 Division, Nigerian Navy, 211 Quick Response Group of the Nigerian Air Force, Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police. It was a well coordinated dawn attack on the fortress, where plans were been perfected to violently enforce the illegitimate sit-at-home declaration by the irredentist groups.”
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations
18 January 2022
