Troops on operations in South East Nigeria have killed five Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) during a firefight that ensued at Ejemekuru in Oguta local government area of Imo state.

The troops, made up of personnel of the Nigerian Army and Navy, also recovered a “significant cache of dangerous weapons” in the operation conducted on March 1.

Army spokesperson, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, March 6.

According to him, some of the weapons recovered include an AK-47 rifle, two Pump-action Semi-automatic rifles, one locally fabricated gun, two magazines, and three rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.

Nwachukwu also said that, on the same day, troops on a counterterrorism operation in North West Nigeria rescued 15 kidnap victims.

He said the victims were rescued in the Tsohuwar Tasha area of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara state, after a distress call by members of the community.

He said: “The vigilant troops responded swiftly to the distress call and immediately mobilized to the scene of the incident where they engaged the kidnappers in a shootout, overpowering and compelling them to abandon their victims, as they scampered into the forest.”

According to Nwachukwu, all the 15 abductees were rescued unharmed.

Source: The Nation