Nigerian Soldiers Invade Lilu Forest in Anambra, Dislodge IPOB/ESN Members, Recover Dangerous Weapons

Nigerian Soldiers Invade Lilu Forest in Anambra, Dislodge IPOB/ESN Members, Recover Dangerous Weapons

  • Some members of the outlawed IPOB and its armed affiliate, ESN, have been neutralised by security operatives
  • The IPOB/ESN members were killed during a coordinated attack by the Nigerian soldiers and other security agents on their camp at at Lilu Forest in Anambra
  • The Nigerian Army said its troops dislodged the insurgents and recovered many dangerous weapons

Ihiala, Anambra state - Troops of the Nigerian Army in a joint operations conducted with other security agencies have dislodged a notorious stronghold of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN) at Lilu Forest in Ihiala local government area of Anambra state.

Army spokesman, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement released on Tuesday, January 18, said the operation was conducted in the early hours of Monday, January 17.

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Nigerian Soldiers Dislodge IPOB/ESN Members from Lilu Forest in Anambra
Nigerian Army said some IPOB/ESN members were neutralised following the invasion of their camp by soldiers. Photo credit: HQ Nigerian Army
Source: Facebook

He confirmed that the operation led to the neutralization of some gunmen in a fire fight that ensued.

Troops recover weapons

It was also gathered that the troops, after dislodging the dissidents from their fortress, recovered 10 Pump Action Shotguns, two locally fabricated guns, One Revolver pistol, rounds of 7.62 mm special, live cartridges, machettes and IPOB flags.

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Other items recovered are mobile phones, laptops amongst other dangerous weapons.

Legit.ng gathers that the operation was jointly conducted by troops of 82 Division, Nigerian Navy, 211 Quick Response Group of the Nigerian Air Force, Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police.

Nwachukwu said the operation was a well coordinated dawn attack on the fortress, where plans were been perfected to violently enforce the illegitimate sit-at-home declaration by the irredentist groups.

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Lilu is a border town between Imo and Anambra states, which was hitherto known to be used as an operational base of the dissidents.

Nigerian Army's troops make big arrest in Enugu community

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the leader of IPOB in Enugu state was arrested by troops of the Nigerian Army.

Soldiers reportedly sacked Akpawfu community in the Nkanu east local government area of Enugu state to make the arrest.

It was gathered that the soldiers were at the community on December 24, while residents of Akpawfu were observing Christmas Eve church services. Over 50 youths were arrested from the community following the invasion by the soldiers despite reports of many youths missing from the area since the military invasion in June and July.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
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Nurudeen Lawal (Head of Politics and Current Affairs Desk) Nurudeen Lawal is an AFP-certified journalist with a wealth of experience spanning over 8 years. He received his B/Arts degree in Literature-in-English from OAU. Lawal is the Head of the Politics/CA Desk at Legit.ng, where he applies his expertise to provide incisive coverage of events. He was named the Political Desk Head of the Year (Nigeria Media Nite-Out Award 2023). He is also a certified fact-checker (Dubawa fellowship, 2020). Contact him at lawal.nurudeen@corp.legit.ng or +2347057737768.