By Okafor Joseph Afam
December 28, 2024

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the deaths of two soldiers in an attack by operatives of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the armed wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in Imo State. According to the army, one soldier remains missing, and weapons, including an AK-47 rifle and a tear gas launcher, were seized during the assault.

IPOB is a separatist organization advocating for the restoration of the Republic of Biafra, citing decades of alleged marginalization of the South-East region of Nigeria since the Biafra-Nigeria Civil War.

The incident occurred in Osina, Ideato North Local Government Area, as troops from the 34 Artillery Brigade responded to a distress call about an attack on the Osina community by IPOB/ESN operatives.

Army Statement

The army, in a statement issued on Saturday, revealed that upon arriving at the scene, the troops engaged the assailants in a fierce firefight. The statement read:

“On arrival, the troops engaged the terrorists with overwhelming firepower, killing some of them. Unfortunately, two security agents were killed in action, one remains missing, and their weapons were carted away by the terrorists.”

The statement added that the bodies of the slain soldiers had been recovered and efforts to locate the missing soldier were ongoing.

Follow-Up Operations

Following the attack, the army launched a pursuit of the fleeing operatives. Contact was made at Nkwachi Community, resulting in the neutralization of one suspect and the recovery of an AK-47 rifle with a loaded magazine.

The pursuit continued into the Umalouma forest, where a heavy firefight ensued. The army reported recovering multiple weapons, including:

Five AK-47 rifles

One Fabrique Nationale rifle

Two magazines

One tear gas launcher

The statement emphasized the army’s resolve to eliminate all criminal elements, urging IPOB/ESN members to surrender or face severe consequences.

Call for Public Support

The army appealed to residents of Imo State to provide timely intelligence about the movements and hideouts of the assailants, promising to ensure the safety of the state during the festive season.

Background

Since 2021, Imo State has experienced heightened violence following the controversial Supreme Court judgment declaring Senator Hope Uzodinma governor, displacing the previously elected governor. The military’s operations against separatist elements have frequently led to accusations of human rights abuses, including the burning of communities and markets.

As the crisis deepens, tensions remain high in the region, with many residents caught in the crossfire between the military and separatist groups.