BY Maryam Abdullahi
Troops of Operation Udoka ll of the joint task force in the south-east have arrested two suspected fighters of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Imo.
In a statement on Friday, Jonah Unuakhalu, acting deputy director of public relations of Operation Udoka II, said the troops conducted a clearance operation in suspected hideouts of the IPOB fighters on October 5.
Unuakhalu said the operation was to identify and destroy hideouts of the fighters of the separatist group who have been terrorising citizens of the south-east region.
He said the raid was carried out in Ihioma-Ihittenansa in Orsu LGA and Okigwe-Umulolo in Okigwe LGA in Imo state.
He added that the troops recovered two locally made guns, a rocket propeller and IED-making materials, among other items during the operation.
“During the simultaneous clearance operations, at Umulolo, one of the troops’ vehicles was hit by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), however, no causality was recorded,” the statement reads.
“Troops also came in contact with the terrorists who fled into the nearby bushes with gunshot wounds due to superior firepower.
“Two suspects were arrested and items recovered at Umulolo include; two locally made guns, ammunition, one PKT machine gun barrel, one big locally made rocket propelled launcher (Ogbunigwe) and IED-making materials.
“Others include three CCTV cameras, two laptops and a charger, eight mobile phones, three boots, camouflage shorts, two motorcycles and a beret. Furthermore, three shrines used by the terrorists for fortification were destroyed.
“On the clearance operations/fighting patrols along Road IHIOMA – IHITTENANSA in ORSU LGA. Despite the troops’ encountering of IEDs, troops made contact and engaged some IPOB/ESN fighters around EKETUTU market who fled into the adjourning forests of Lilu and Mother Valleys with gunshot wounds on motorcycles.
“Troops also recovered 2 X CCTV cameras carefully concealed at the highest point in the area and some IED-making materials. Troops successfully cleared the terrorists from the EKETUTU market.
“Operation UDO KA II will continue combating ritual killings, cannibalism, kidnapping for ransom and extortion of hardworking and law-abiding citizens.”
Unuakhalu called on citizens of the south-east to support the troops with relevant information to tackle insecurity in the region.
Recently, four suspected separatists were arrested, while two others were killed by troops who raised four hideouts of the IPOB members in Imo state.
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