By NewsBits
Troops of Exercise GOLDEN DAWN III said they have raided camps of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliates, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Orsumoghu general area of Anambra.
The troops, who reportedly achieved the feat in conjunction with personnel of the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Police and local vigilante operatives, also said they naturalised one armed ESN member and recovered one pump action rifle.
This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Enugu on Tuesday by Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, acting Deputy Director, 82 Division Army Public Relations. Unuakhalu said that the raid was carried out on Monday, December 11, 2023, based on a timely and credible intelligence on activities of the dissident and outlawed group.
“During the raid operations, the gallant troops cleared and destroyed IPOB/ESN camps. One of the terrorists was naturalized while others escaped with gunshot wounds and one pump action rifle was recovered,” he said.
In the same vein, on Saturday, December 9, troops on patrol along Orsumoghu-Ukpor Road in Ihiala Local Government Area in Anambra 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 flagged off 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, therefore, wishes to enjoin 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.
