Troops of the Nigerian Army in a joint operation with other security agencies have dislodged what it called the 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.
According to the Army, Lilu a border town between Imo and Anambra States was hitherto known to be used as an operational base of the dissidents.
Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu in a statement sent to ABN TV said the operations, conducted in the early hours of Monday 17 January 2022, led to the neutralization of some gunmen in a firefight that ensued.
Items recovered according to the Army include 10 Pump Action Shotguns, two locally fabricated guns, One Revolver pistol, rounds of 7.62 mm special, live cartridges, machetes, and IPOB flags.
Other items include mobile phones, laptops amongst other dangerous weapons.
“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 and the Nigeria Police. It 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” Nwachukwu added.
