Some militants of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN), have been killed at Lilu Forest in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Lilu, a border town between Imo and Anambra States, is known to be the operational base of the IPOB/ESN.
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In a statement, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the troops conducted early hours operations on January 17, 2022, and neutralised some gunmen in their hideout after a gun battle.
According to him, after dislodging the dissidents from their fortress, troops recovered 10 Pump Action Shotguns, two locally fabricated guns, One Revolver pistol, rounds of 7.62 mm special, live cartridges, machetes’ and IPOB flags.
Other items recovered were mobile phones, laptops amongst other dangerous weapons.
He said the operation was jointly conducted by troops of 82 Division, Nigerian Navy, 211 Quick Response Group of the Nigerian Air Force, Department of State Services and the Police.
“It was a well coordinated dawn attack on the fortress, where plans were been perfected to violently enforce the illegitimate sit-at-home declaration by the irredentist groups” he said.
