Details have emerged on how Major Churchill Orji was killed by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion by the Ekeotutu market near the Imo/Anambra border last Monday.
Late Major Orji, who is from the same hometown with the Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was at the time of his death the Commander of the Orsu JTF (Joint Task Force) SAF (FOB) Forward Operational Base Camp, Imo State.
According to a source who is privy of the SITREP at 192035A August 22 from the late Major Orji’s unit, said that he was killed by IED exploding fragments when he tried to remove the “an old zinc top with wooden plank” and “clear it from the road,” not knowing that the bombs were hidden under it.
The source noted that the as he attempted to remove them, the “planted dynamite exploded and the fragile affected his head. He fell down unconsciously, bleeding. He was immediately evacuated to an undisclosed hospital in Owerri, the Imo State capital for medical care,” where he later died.
According to the source, “the report shows that in the evening of August 22, 2022, Lieutenant Colonel Agbolade, the Garrison Commander visited the Orsu JTF (Joint Task Force) SAF (FOB) Forward Operational Base Camp.
“After addressing the troops, he requested to be taken round on familiarization tour of all the flash points in Orsu Local Government Area (LGA), Imo State.
“Late Major Churchhill Orji, the FOB Camp Commander willingly agreed and ordered all standby troops of the agencies under the JTF to be on standby and to get moving.
“They then headed to Ekeotutu market at the boundary between Imo and Anambra States. At the market square where an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded the day earlier on August 21, 2022. There was fresh road block mounted by “hoodlums suspected to be Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) members.
“The E.O.D. (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) personnel switched into action and discovered more fresh buried mines, dynamite and related improvised devices. At this point, everyone was walking since the raod was loaded with IED.
“The IPOB members were exchanging firing with troops of the JTF. However, they were chased out of their own camp but while the senior men about to advance, there was an old zinc top with wooden plank and Major Orji attempted to remove it, to clear it from the road.
“It was then that a planted dynamite exploded and the fragile affected his head. He fell down unconsciously, bleeding. He was immediately evacuated to an undisclosed hospital in Owerri, the Imo State capital for medical care.
“About 1900Hrs on Monday, he died. Two Nigerian Army personnel sustained bullet wounds on their chests and currently receiving treatment at designated hospital. A Nigerian Army Hilux 21/41 was affected by the exploded fragments, cracking the windscreen and the passenger door glasses.”