The Nigerian Army has arrested 20 members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, for killing four soldiers on escort duties in Orlu.
A top Military Intelligence Officer disclosed to PRNigeria that the IPOB militia ambushed and killed the soldiers, who were on the escort of the Director Civil Affairs, Brig.-Gen. HE Nzan on inspection of the Civil-Military Project at Nkwerre in Orlu, Imo state.
“They also took the patrol van
belonging to the soldiers.
“Since the beginning of the year, the activities of IPOB militias through its untenable and unreasonable demand for secession, has adversely affected the security situation in the area.
“The activities of the threat elements have led to an increase in organized crimes such as armed robbery, car snatching, kidnapping, raping and sundry violent criminal acts.
“There have been attacks on Civilians, Police and Military personnel on checkpoints and escort duty,” the source said.
He also recalled that on January 22, troops of 34 Brigade in conjunction with Police operatives from Imo state Command carried out raids in Okporo/Ezenta and Akata axis of Orlu local government area, only to discover the corpse of slain police officer killed by IPOB members.
“During the raids, one IPOB member was killed and a vehicle (Jeep) was recovered. Various IPOB training camps were also discovered and destroyed, “the Military Intelligence officer said.
Similarly, a combined troops of the Nigeria Military, Nigeria Airforce and the Nigeria Police carried out an operation in a forest close to Lilu village in Ihiala General Area of Anambra state.
According to him, the forces searched the camps of IPOB militias but found an empty hideout because the group had fled with some of their dead colleagues.
During the operation at the IPOB camps, the troops recovered several weapons and equipment including an AK-47 rifle, several locally-made pistols, dane guns, cartridge ammunition, IPOB flags, water pumping machine, military fragmental jackets, mobile handsets, among others.
PRNigeria reports that the suspects and weapons were handed over to the Police Command in Owerri.
