Nigerian Army takes out two Eastern Security Network operatives in Imo State

TWO Eastern Security Network  (ESN) operatives have been shot dead by the Nigerian Army along the Eke Ututu-Ihitte Nansa Road in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State amid fears that they were about to attack two local communities.

Created as the armed wing of secessionist group the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob), ESN has taken on the responsibility of confronting armed Fulani herdsmen across the southeast geo-political zone. Of late, however, it has been accused of acts of bringandry, including raiding police stations and carting away weapons and of carrying out murders across the southeast.

However, Ipob  has vehemently denied this, saying the general public should understand that those behind the orgy of kidnapping and barbaric killings have no link whatsoever with ESN. It alleges that the genocide is planned by conspirators to unleash mayhem on Igbo people in their desperation to demonise ESN personnel and Ipob volunteers.

Yesterday, however, Nigerian Army spokesman Brigadier Onyema Nwachukwu, said the troops killed the ESN members when the militants were about to raid Orsu Ihitte Ukwa and Ihitte Nansa communities in Imo State with a rocket launcher. He said the operation was carried out in collaboration with officials of the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force and other security operatives in the state.

Brigadier Nwachukwu said:  “Troops of Headquarters 82 Division Nigerian Army, made up of troops of 34 Artillery Brigade, in conjunction with troops of the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies, on Tuesday August 30, 2022, neutralised two combatants of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network, along the Eke Ututu -Ihitte Nansa Road, in the Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State. The troops encountered the dissidents while carrying out a raid operation around the general area of Orsu Ihitte Ukwa and Ihitte Nansa.

"The neutralised members had taken position to launch one of their primed rocket launchers, when they were engaged and taken out by the vigilant troops. The fearless troops were unhurt, as improvised explosive devices deployed by the irredentists exploded at Eke Ututu Market, destroying some of the shops in the market.

“Eke Ututu market has recently become a flash point as the dissidents often ambush troops using explosives and firearms from within and around the market, while troops are on routine patrol. After the incident, the Explosive Ordnance Device Team recovered several improvised explosive devices planted along the road, as well as locally-fabricated rocket launchers.”