By Zara Maisango
In a significant operation, military troops in the southeast have apprehended the individuals responsible for the murder of five soldiers during a recent raid on hideouts of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Abia State.
This development was announced by Maj-Gen Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, during a press briefing on Thursday, June 13. The arrests follow the tragic events of May 30, when gunmen, enforcing a sit-at-home order declared by IPOB to commemorate Biafra Day, attacked and killed five soldiers in Aba.
Gen. Buba detailed that the intelligence-based operations led to the discovery and subsequent destruction of multiple IPOB/ESN camps across the Southeast, including the notorious Igboro forest in Arochukwu. He noted that the detained IPOB fighters have been cooperating with the military to identify other insurgent camps and operatives.
"We have maintained our momentum against these terrorists and their allies. This is crucial to our operations, allowing us to take the fight to the enemy and offer them no respite," Gen. Buba stated. He emphasized that the military's strategy involves a combination of ground mobilization and air strikes, which have yielded significant battlefield successes.
Over the past week, the military reported the neutralization of 197 terrorists and the arrest of 310 criminals. Additionally, 22 oil thieves were apprehended, and 251 kidnapping victims were rescued.
In terms of arms and ammunition, troops recovered a substantial cache, including 180 assorted weapons and 5,123 rounds of ammunition. The breakdown includes 2 PKT guns, 73 AK47 rifles, 17 locally fabricated guns, 3,207 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,022 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, and 243 rounds of 7.62x54mm ammo.
Furthermore, in the Niger Delta, 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, and various other equipment used in illegal refining operations.
The military continues its comprehensive efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and illegal operations, reinforcing security across the region.
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