Troops of Exercise Golden Dawn III have raided camps of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in the Orsumoghu general area of Anambra State.
The troops, who achieved the feat in conjunction with personnel of the Nigerian Navy, the Nigeria Police and local vigilance operatives, also naturalised one armed ESN member and recovered one pump action rifle.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Deputy Director, 82 Division Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, yesterday, in Enugu.
Unuakhalu said the raid was carried out on Monday, based on a timely and credible intelligence on activities of the dissidents and outlawed group.
“During the operations, the gallant troops cleared and destroyed IPOB/ESN camps. One of the terrorists was naturalised, while others escaped with gunshot wounds and one pump action rifle was recovered,” he said.
In the same vein, last Saturday, troops on patrol along Orsumoghu-Ukpor Road in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, came in contact with members of the irredentist group.
“However, due to superior fire power, the criminals were forced to abandon their location. Items recovered included 27 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammunition, three locally made hand grenades, two handheld radios, one pair of NPF uniform, a fragmental jacket and charms,” he said.
The army spokesman recalled that Exercise Golden Dawn III was recently inaugurated in the South East to complement the security architecture of the region during and after the yuletide period.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, enjoined members of the public to support the Nigerian Army and other security agencies with credible information.
“The public should do this through the Emergency Telephone Line ‘193’, to enhance the fight against terrorism and other criminal activities. Citizens are also encouraged to go about their normal daily activities and businesses without fear of intimidation,” he added.