Troops in the southeast have arrested the individuals responsible for killing five soldiers during a raid on hideouts of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) in Abia State. This was announced by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Edward Buba, during a press briefing on Thursday, June 13.
On May 30, gunmen enforcing a sit-at-home order declared by IPOB across the Southeast to mark Biafra Day killed five soldiers in Aba. Subsequent intelligence-based operations led to the discovery and destruction of several IPOB/ESN camps across the region, including Igboro forest in Arochukwu, known for harboring these fighters.
Gen. Buba reported that the arrested IPOB fighters have been assisting the military in locating other camps and individuals. He emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum against the terrorists, which involves a combination of ground mobilization and air strikes.
In the past week, troops have killed 197 terrorists and arrested 310 criminals. Additionally, 22 oil thieves were arrested and 251 kidnap victims were rescued. The military also recovered 180 assorted weapons and 5,123 rounds of ammunition, including 73 AK-47 rifles and 2 PKT guns.
In the Niger Delta area, troops seized 728,360 liters of stolen crude oil, 143,450 liters of illegally refined diesel, 1,100 liters of kerosene, and 18,750 liters of petrol. They also destroyed 29 dugout pits, 22 boats, 26 storage tanks, 66 cooking ovens, 8 vehicles, and 43 illegal refining sites.