ESN hideout destroyed in joint military raid

The Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force, in conjunction with the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, cleared several camps on Friday and raided the Eastern Security Network camps along Umulolo-Umukele-Amousu and Agbobu in the Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State.

This was disclosed in a statement shared on the Nigerian Army’s verified X handle.

According to the statement, troops of 82 Division recovered the rank badges of two policemen who were kidnapped along Enugu-Port Harcourt Road and Biafran currencies, fake US dollar bills, Biafran liberation army T-shirts, other Biafran insignia, military kit bags, and cables used for improvised explosive devices detonation and axes.

Two suspected members of the ESN were also arrested and the burnt policemen’s corpses were discovered at the camp.

The statement read in part, “The troops stormed and destroyed hideouts of the terrorists despite encountering several improvised explosive devices en route and cordoned-off and searched several buildings used by the terrorists.

“During the search, signs of terrorist activities, occultism and acts of cannibalism by the group were discovered. The troops also destroyed the IED-making factory of the terrorists.

According to the statement, during the operation, troops “neutralised” one of the terrorists and “extricated” four kidnapped victims.

It stated that the troops also neutralised some kidnappers in Owerri which made them abandon the abducted victim and their belongings.

It added, “In Owerri metropolis, troops on night patrol thwarted a kidnapping attempt by some suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists. The troops engaged the criminals in a gun duel forcing them to abandon the victim.

“Troops recovered one AK 47 rifle and magazine, a G-3 rifle with mounted magazines, and the vehicle used by terrorists.”