Metro
Alleged IPOB/ESN gunmen attack army checkpoint in Abia, kill two soldiers
Gunmen said to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) have killed two soldiers at an army checkpoint in Ekenobizi, a border community between Abia and Imo states in Umuokpara, Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State.
The gunmen, reportedly arrived in a white Lexus (350/400) model, although the exact number of attackers could not be confirmed.
Confirming the incident, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, in a press release, on Wednesday, said: “In the early hours of today, 13 November 2024, troops of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, deployed at a checkpoint along the Umuahia – Owerri Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, came under attack by the irredentist group Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network.
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“During the attack, the gallant troops were able to repel the assault, forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray with gunshot wounds, abandoning one Sienna and one Lexus Jeep used in the attack. However, in the ensuing firefight, two soldiers paid the supreme price.”
The Joint Task Force appealed to residents of the South-East, particularly those in Abia State, for credible information to help track down the fleeing attackers and combat criminal elements in the region.
The force stressed its commitment to protecting lives and property in line with global best practices and the rules of engagement.
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