Gunmen attacked an army checkpoint early on Wednesday in Ekenobizi, a border community between Abia and Imo states, located in Umuopara, Umuahia South Local Government Area (LGA), resulting in the deaths of two soldiers.

A military source, who spoke anonymously, stated that the attack took place around 6:18 am.

The gunmen arrived in a white Lexus (350/400) model, though the exact number of attackers remains unclear.

Confirming the attack, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA issued a statement on Wednesday, saying: “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.”

Unuakhalu further noted that during the attack, the troops were able to repel the assault, forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray with gunshot wounds. He added that the assailants abandoned one Sienna and one Lexus Jeep used in the attack.

According to him, in the ensuing firefight, two soldiers paid the supreme price.

The Joint Task Force has appealed to residents, particularly in Abia State, to provide credible information to help track down the fleeing attackers and combat criminal elements in the region.

The force reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, adhering to global best practices and rules of engagement.