TheCable

The Nigerian army’s 34 artillery brigade in Obinze-Owerri, Imo state says armed youths have attacked it soldiers on patrol.

The soldiers were attacked on Monday while on patrol at Izombe community, Oguta LGA.

Joseph Akubo, the brigade’s spokesman, said the incident happened after soldiers were drafted to the oil-rich community to checkmate youth restiveness and other crimes in the area.

He said some unidentified persons had on Saturday attacked and killed a truck driver, prompting increased patrol by the soldiers.

“The soldiers were on routine patrol in the area when they came under attack by armed youths,” he said.

 “Two days ago, a truck driver was killed; coupled with other criminal activities which had necessitated increased patrol.

“The soldiers were on normal patrol when they came under attack.”

Akubo said the casualty figures were unconfirmed as the youths were still engaging the soldiers in a fierce battle.

“I cannot tell you the casualty figure because the armed youths are still attacking our men who are taking cover in the buildings in the neighbourhood”, he said.

The development comes weeks after gunmen used a tipper to break into a police station during an attack in Oguta LGA.

Michael Abattam, Imo police spokesperson, had said the attackers were suspected to be members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the security outfit of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The attack had happened a few days after four officers were killed when assailants attacked a divisional police station in Agwa, Oguta LGA of the state.