The Nigerian Army said yesterday that troops of 82 Division dislodged the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN) from their hideout in Anambra.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement, said the clearance operation took place on Monday at Orsumoghu, Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.
Nwachukwu said the group had serially launched attacks on defenceless civilians and security targets from the hideout.
He said troops were met with stiff resistance from the dissidents, as they closed in on their enclave during the operations along Imo-Anambra border communities.
According to him, the criminals were overwhelmed by the troops’ superior firepower, forcing them to abandon their hideout.
“After overrunning their camp, the gallant troops carried out further exploitation and recovered a cache of arms, comprising 22 Pump Action rifles, 19 Dane guns and 6 machetes.
“Other items recovered include assorted mobile phones, SIM cards, a monitor and a laptop.
“One operational Hilux vehicle and various voodoo items were also recovered,”he added.
Nwachukwu said that investigations had revealed that the hideout served as the operational base of one Innocent Obieke (aka Double Lion).
