A raid conducted on Saturday, June 22, 2023, by troops of the Nigerian Armed Force led to the destruction of a fortified enclave inhibited by men of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN) at Asaba, Delta State.
This was revealed in a statement by Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director, Army Public Relations.
According to Nwachukwu, the raid was conducted “in a sustained effort to rid Nigeria of criminality”.
According to Him, the “troops of 63 Bde Garrison, under the auspices of 6 Division, the Nigerian Army, and the Department of State Services, have, in an ongoing Clearance Operation, destroyed an enclave of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN) at Asaba, Delta State, today, Saturday, July 22, 2023.
“The troops conducted a raid operation on the fortified enclave located in the middle of a forested hill in the early hours of the day”.
He further stated that the men of the armed force met resistance from the terrorists. However, “the gallant troops overpowered the IPOB fighters in the exchange of fire that followed the encounter, compelling them to abandon their hideout in disarray”.
“The troops captured one of the fleeing fighters and recovered five AK-47 rifles, three pump-action semiautomatic rifles, one G3 rifle, and one single-barrel gun. Other items recovered include Live cartridges, an electric saw, machetes, an axe, and an IPOB flag.
“The troops have destroyed the enclave and are exploiting the forest in pursuit of the fleeing fighters.
“The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, has commended the troops and other security agencies for their efforts in the ongoing operations and has charged them to sustain the momentum to restore sanity in the region,” he added.
