JUST IN: Top commander captured as Nigerian army destroys IPOB hideout in Delta

A top commander has been arrested as a troop of the Nigerian Army destroyed an enclave of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN) at Asaba, Delta State.

The enclave located in a forest in Asaba was destroyed during a clearance operation carried out by troops of the 6 Division on Saturday morning, July 22, 2023.

According to a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the members of the group engaged the troops in a fierce gun battle but were overpowered.

The statement read, “In a sustained effort to rid Nigeria of criminality, troops of 63 Brigade Garrison under the auspices of 6 Division, Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services, have in an ongoing Clearance Operation, destroyed an enclave of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network at Asaba, Delta State, today Saturday 22 July 2023.

“In the early hours of the morning, the troops raided the fortified enclave positioned in the middle of a forested high ground. The troops overpowered the IPOB fighters in the exchange of fire that followed the encounter, compelling them to abandon their hideout in disarray.”

He noted that one of them was arrested while weapons were recovered from the hideout.

“The troops captured one of the fleeing fighters and recovered five AK 47 Rifles, three Pump Action Semi-Automatic Rifles, one G3 Rifle, and one single barrel gun. Other items recovered include Live Cartridges, Electric Saws, Machetes, an Axe, and an IPOB flag, ” the statement added.

He added that troops are combing the forest for fleeing fighters.

Onyema said the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja commended the troops and other security agencies for their effort in the ongoing operations, urging them to sustain the momentum.

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