Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Faruk Yahaya,
Army confirms killing of one soldier, IPOB member during crossfire in Imo
[From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki]
Nigerian Army on Tuesday confirmed the killing of one its personnel and a member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) during a crossfire at Awo-Mmamma Community, Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State.
Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations of 82 Division Nigerian Army, Major Abubakar Abdulahi, who disclosed this in a statement made available to Journalists in Enugu on Tuesday, said the Troops conducting Exercise GOLDEN DAWN tried to disperse the hoodlums who were carrying out arson while enforcing illegitimate sit-at-home order.
Abdulahi said the troop responding to a distress call that the hoodlums were harassing and compelling citizens including physical abuse of commuters going about their lawful businesses to comply with the unlawful order, swiftly moved to the scene and engaged the hoodlums in a firefight.
“The criminals went further to carry out arson and destruction of businesses and homes at Ishieke junction (along Owerri-Onitsha express way) as a vendetta against the citizens for not complying with the illegal order.
“The hoodlums who had earlier blocked the highway, set ablaze a commercial vehicle heading towards Onitsha. Vigilant troops responding to distress calls by motorists and shop owners swiftly moved to the scene and engaged the hoodlums in a firefight. The troops overwhelmed the hoodlums forcing them to scamper in different directions.
“The troops pursued the hoodlums to their hideout in Akatta Community in Oru East LGA, where a member of the group was neutralized in the shootout. While the troops engaged the hoodlums in their hideout, other members of the group who alleged that some individuals had volunteered information to the troops mustered at Ishieke junction and set ablaze houses and businesses of law abiding citizens. The troops again returned to the junction to disperse the hoodlums. Unfortunately, a galant soldier paid the supreme prize in defence of the people.
“It is on record that since the sad events of 5 April 2021 when some unscrupulous elements invaded the Custodial Centre in Owerri and freed more than 1,800 inmates, there has been an upsurge in criminalities such as kidnapping, car jacking, robbery, unwarranted killing and arson in Imo State. These criminal elements have since then wreaked havoc in the State and its environs.
“Even in the face of unwholesome propaganda by IPOB/ESN, other criminal elements and their collaborators to misinform and mislead Nigerians on the truth regarding the arson at Awo-Mmamma, the NA will continue to remain professional,” the statement reads in part.
