We Made 100 Arrests Over Abia Killings-DHQ

The Nigerian military hierarchy on Thursday disclosed that about 100 suspects have been picked up over the wanton murder of five soldiers at a checkpoint by suspected agents of the Independent People of Biafra, IPOB, and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network, ESN. It added however, that those adjudged as non-culpable have also been set free.

Major Gen Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, made the disclosure while speaking with newsmen at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

According to him, “Troops conducted several intelligences based operations that led to the discovery and destruction of several IPOB/ESN terrorist’s camps across the region such as at Igboro Forest in Arochukwu LGA of Abia State among others. He stressed that a number of the arrests were made from Intelligence-backed raids, one of which resulted in foiling a kidnap of a kidnap incident."

The operations, he pointed out, led to the arrest of suspected violent extremists, including IPOB and ESN operatives, during which troops foiled kidnap incidents in Obingwa and Anambra West council areas, Abia and Anambra State, as well as Isiala Mbano and Ohaji/Egbema council areas of Imo State.

“On 3 June 2024, following INTREP troops raided a suspected violent extremists/IPOB/ESN shrine and Palace of Eze Ngozi Obia in Obingwa LGA of Abia State. During the operations, troops arrested 11 suspected violent extremists including the Eze and recovered 3 Dane guns, 21 expended cartridges, 8 rounds of 7.62 units 54mm ammunition, gun powder and assorted charms.

“Several arrest ware made from the raids with those found to be culpable still in detention. Surely, there is intelligence value to the raids and arrest that were made.

“Those in detention are assisting troops to locate other camps, sleeper cells and high profile individuals involved in the activities of the terrorists group.

Buba also disclosed that troops, under the aegis of Operation Udoka, neutralized 13 terrorists, nabbed 25 violent extremists and rescued 15 kidnapped hostages in several encounters with criminal elements within the last seven days in the South East.

"Troops recovered one AK47 rifle, one fabricated rifle, 4 Dane guns, 2 pump action guns, 2 fabricated berretta pistols, one double barrel, one short Dane gun, 5 locally made pistols, one locally fabricated RPG tube, one fabricated Arty gun, 10 fabricated Arty bombs, 42 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 8 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 62 live cartridges and 21 cartridges (expended), one ECOME HH radio, one vehicle and one motorcycle amongst other.