• Allegedly recover rocket launchers

Troops of Headquarters 82 Division, Nigerian Army, made up of troops of 34 Artillery Brigade, in conjunction with troops of Nigerian Navy, Air Force and other security agencies, on Tuesday, neutralised two alleged combatants of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), along Eke Ututu – Ihitte Nansa road, in Orsu Local Council of Imo State.

According to army spokesman, Brig. General Onyema Nwachukwu, the troops encountered the dissidents while carrying out a raid operation around Orsu Ihitte Ukwa and Ihitte Nansa. Nwachukwu said: “The neutralised members had taken position to launch one of their primed rocket launchers, when they were engaged and taken out by troops.

“The troops were unhurt as Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), deployed by the hoodlums, exploded at Eke Ututu market, destroying shops in the market.

“Eke Ututu market has recently become a flash point as dissidents often ambush troops, using explosives and fire arms from within and around the market as troops are on routine patrol.

“After the incident, the Explosive Ordnance Device (EOD) team recovered several IEDs planted along the road, as well as locally fabricated rocket launchers.

“Troops will continue to ensure there is no safe haven for all criminal elements operating around Orsu and Orsumoghu area.”