Just in: Troops capture fleeing IPOB/ESN fighter, confiscate more firearms

Troops of the 63 Brigade Garrison in Asaba, Delta State, have captured one wounded fighter and recovered several additional items from the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the state.

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the troops, who were in pursuit of the fleeing IPOB fighters, previously conducted a raid operation on the group’s enclave located in the middle of a forested high ground in the early hours of Saturday, July 22, 2023.

The items recovered from the IPOB fighters include four motorcycles, four double-barrel guns, five AK-47 magazines, 18 rounds of live 7.62mm special ammunition, six mobile phones, two power banks, six Boafeng communication radios and chargers, an Android phone, one HP laptop, 13 IPOB flags, one power generating set, one gas cylinder, IPOB uniforms and accoutrements, as well as five improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Other items recovered include two ATM cards and a wristwatch.

The troops also arrested one of the IPOB fighters wounded during the raid.

The Nigerian Army said in a statement that the operation was in line with its commitment to rid the country of all forms of criminality.

The statement said:

TROOPS IN PURSUIT OF FLEEING IPOB FIGHTERS ASABA HAVE CAPTURED WOUNDED FIGHTER, RECOVERED ADDITIONAL FIRE ARMS, OTHER ITEMS

Recall that troops of 63 Brigade operating under 6 Division Nigerian Army in the early hours of today Saturday 22 July 2023 destroyed an IPOB/ ESN enclave in a forested high ground in Asaba.
The troops who are on further exploit and pursuit of the fleeing IPOB fighters have captured one wounded fighter and recovered several additional items from the criminals. Some of the items recovered are four Motorcycles, four Double Barrel guns, five AK 47 Magazines, 18 rounds of Live 7.62mm Special ammunition, 6 Mobile phones, two Power banks, six Boafeng Communication Radios and Chargers, an Android phone, one HP Laptop, 13 IPOB flags, one Power generating set, one Gas Cylinder, IPOB Uniforms and accoutrements as well as five improvised Beagles. Other items are two ATM cards and a Wrist Watch.

ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations
22 July 2023