In what will come across as a really startling development, a Nigerian Army operation in Awomama community, Imo State, has reportedly resulted in casualties, with some residents killed and others injured.
The footage of the incident, seen by SaharaReporters, showed soldiers arriving in five heavily armoured vehicles, employing explosive devices on residential homes.
Eyewitnesses reported that at least 13 civilians, including men, women, and children, were killed in the attack.
Many others sustained injuries or were forced to flee. Properties worth billions of Naira were also destroyed.
Meanwhile, the army said its troops of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, in collaboration with other security agencies, raided and cleared Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) camps on July 20, 2024, as part of ongoing operations to deter their activities of the region.
The raids took place in Ezioha-Eziama Village in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State. Joint troops from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Department of State Services, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps targeted the ESN camp of notorious commander Lucio Agu, also known as B44.
According to the statement, “During the firefight, troops neutralized two IPOB/ESN commanders known as Asari and Mazi while others fled with different degrees of gunshot wounds.”
Recovered items included two AK-47 rifles with three magazines, 102 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, CCTV cameras, and assorted charms.
In a simultaneous operation, troops of Sector 3 destroyed another IPOB/ESN camp at Ezere Forest, between Umuawa and Aku settlements spanning Okigwe and Ummuneochi Local Government Areas of Imo and Abia States. Due to superior firepower, the irredentists fled into nearby bushes with gunshot wounds, leaving behind a general-purpose machine gun, assorted ammunition, four motorcycles, and four radios.
The Joint Task Force South East Operation UDOKA appealed to the public for cooperation: “We call on the good people of the South East to continue to provide credible and timely information that will help to annihilate the criminals in the region.” Citizens can report relevant information by dialing *193* and pressing.
The task force reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, stating, “Operation UDO KA will continue to carry out its constitutional roles in line with global best practices as laid down in the rules of engagement guiding its operations.”
