The Nigerian Army yesterday denied claims that its personnel embarked on killing and burning houses in Izombe community of Oguta local government area of Imo state on October 8.
Spokesman for the Army, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, who stated this at a briefing in Abuja yesterday, said viral videos purporting that troops of the Nigerian Army were involved in such acts were stage-managed activities of IPOB and ESN to drag the Army through the mud.
Residents had accused soldiers of shooting a youth of the community identified as Chukwunonso Iherue during a heated argument that led to his death.
The youths were said to have mobilised and attacked the soldiers, resulting in the alleged killing of two soldiers and the burning of vehicles.
The soldiers were said to have reinforced and stormed the community in a reprisal attack and allegedly killed many residents and burnt houses.
“People that burn down your houses, kill your people, commit sacrilege by killing your traditional rulers, make you sit at home are never your friends or mean well for you.
“So categorically, I am telling you that the Nigerian Army is not responsible for those things. It is the handiwork of IPOB, ESN and Biafra National Guard,” Nwachukwu said.
Commenting on the successes of the operations, Nwachukwu said: “On Exercise Golden Dawn, following the recent unfortunate incident in Izombe Community of Oguta LGA of Imo state which was characterised by arson and wanton destruction of properties by members of the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), it has become pertinent to state the facts of the matter and set the records straight for the benefit of the general public.
“At about 9 am on Friday 8 October 2021, troops of Ex Golden Dawn, Sector B received a distress call regarding the criminal activities of one Chukwunonso Iherue, a convict who was among the escapees from the Owerri Correctional Centre on 5 April 2021. Iherue was armed with a pistol and was threatening, intimidating and inciting persons in the Izombe community to support the proscribed IPOB terrorists group.
“It is on record that late Chukwunonso Iherue masterminded the attack on Izombe Divisional Police Headquarters on 14 May 2021, during which four of his gang members were neutralized. Similarly, he masterminded the attack on the same Police Divisional Headquarters on 13 Aug 2021 where 3 policemen paid the supreme price.
“Again on the 1st October 2021, Iherue and his gang members were seen parading Izombe Community, flying the Biafra insignia while threatening and instilling fear in the people, thereby creating tension in the community. When troops attempted to arrest him, he escaped with the help of some persons. Since then, troops have kept a close watch and have been on his trail. On receipt of the distress call, troops deployed to the scene and attempted to apprehend the suspect.
“The criminal was neutralised as he engaged the troops with fire from his pistol in a frantic attempt to escape. Youths in the community then mobilised a large number of suspected IPOB members armed with automatic weapons, and bearing IPOB insignia.
“The group opened fire on own troops, killing two soldiers in the process. In an effort to avoid civilian casualty and collateral damage in the community, troops tactically withdrew from the area. Unfortunately, the suspected IPOB members ran amok, setting ablaze houses and other properties belonging to those perceived to be against them.
“Consequently, a reinforcement team was deployed to Izombe and the security situation was immediately stabilized, while peace has since returned to the community. It was however observed on arrival at the community that the criminal gang also burnt own troops Hilux van in addition to other public and private properties,” he said.
Nwachukwu also denied that the ongoing exercises in the southeast are aimed at military occupation of the geo-political zone.
“Contrary to this insinuation, the deployment of troops of the Nigerian Army is not only in the South East Nigeria but also in the troubled parts of the country, particularly in the North West and North Eastern Nigeria where troops are conducting major operations to tackle more threatening national security challenges.
“As you are aware, on 4 October 2021, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya flagged off Exercises Still Waters, Enduring Peace and Golden Dawn in the South-South, South-West, North-Central and South-East zones respectively.
“On the whole, these Exercises cover 20 states and the FCT. Furthermore, these Exercises are traditionally scheduled to hold in the last quarter of the year to checkmate all forms of crimes as the yuletide approaches. As it stands today, troops have maintained an offensive posture, conducting several kinetic operations in the forms of raids on criminal hideouts and patrols amongst others,” he said.
Speaking further on the operations in the southeast, the army spokesman said: “Troops of Sector 5 conducting Exercise GOLDEN DAWN deployed in Anambra state, neutralized 3 IPOB gunmen who attacked a Nigerian Police checkpoint along Okija-Onitsha expressway on 7 October 2021. On sighting own troops, the criminals attempted to flee the scene.
“Troops however pursued them, and engaged the assailants in a gun duel. The 3 gunmen, who drove in 2 vehicles (a Hilux and Hummer bus) eventually succumbed to troops’ effective firepower while others fled. Troops recovered one vehicle and 2 motorcycles, while conducting further exploitation of the general area for the fleeing terrorists.
“On Thursday 21 October 2021, troops foiled an attack by gunmen suspected to be members of outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network at Arochukwu Correctional Facility, Abia State. The gunmen numbering about thirty had earlier marched across the town firing in the air while flying their flag.
“They also attacked own troops, but were overpowered during the shootout. Consequently, five of them were neutralised, while others escaped with gunshot wounds. Items recovered from the gunmen include pump action rifles, two motorcycles, cutlasses, flags of outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra and four cell phones.
“103 Battalion troops arrested 3 suspected IPOB/ESN criminals along Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway. Following the arrest, troops recovered one AK 47 Rifle, 40 rounds of 7.62mm Special and a NCoS ID Card among other items.
“On 26 October 2021, following intelligence reports on the activities of Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ ESN) members around Ochokwu Village in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, troops of Exercise Golden Dawn conducted a clearance operation in the location of the identified camps.
“During the operation, troops overwhelmed the gunmen with superior fire power forcing them to withdraw in disarray with gunshot wounds. Troops exploited the general area and recovered the following items; one AK-47 rifle, rounds of 7.62mm Ammunition, Magazine, IPOB flags among other items.
“Additionally, troops repelled an attack by gunmen suspected to be IPOB/ESN members on 28 Oct 2021 at Amaekpu, Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia state. The assailants who drove in several vehicles were heavily armed and opened fire on troops, but met stiff resistance from troops forcing the attackers to flee in disarray with gunshot wounds. One hoodlum was also neutralized during the faceoff.
“However, troops on sentry watch at the Forward Operating Base, Ohaozara in Ebonyi state intercepted the fleeing assailants in their AOR and recovered 3 vehicles and a pump action gun.
“In another development, troops of 82 Division, in two separate encounters on 29 Oct 21, neutralized 4 IPOB/ESN gunmen at Idemili South and Orumba South Local Government Areas of Anambra state.
“Troops also recovered two AK 47 rifles, one Galil Ace 5.56 x 45 Iwi gun, one pump action gun with nine cartridges, one dark blue Ford, one Highlander jeep, four motorcycles and one handheld radio.
“On 31 Oct 2021, troops of sector 3 Exercise Golden Dawn foiled an attempted kidnap and robbery of Most Rev Augustine Ukwuoma at the Orlu Diocesan Catholic Secretariat, Bsc Road Orlu, Imo State. The troops in response to a distress call moved swiftly to the scene, overwhelming the assailants and forcing them to flee.
On Exercise Still Waters, he said, “On 6 October 2021, troops of 81 Division apprehended 17 suspected drug users and recovered a large volume of substance suspected to be cannabis sativa. All suspects and recovered items have been handed over to the officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further prosecution.
“Similarly, troops of 6 Division apprehended 3 suspected metal vandals along Oku Iboku – Mbak Road in Itu LGA of Akwa Ibom State. The suspects were duly handed over to relevant authorities for further action.
“Still within 6 Division Area of Responsibility, troops in conjunction with personnel of sister security agencies, conducted an aggressive night patrol to Amousa general area in Ahoada East LGA of Rivers State. Troops stormed the site following credible information on the activities of bunkerers in the vicinity. A total of 3 dumps with illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were subsequently destroyed insitu.
“This was followed by another raid operation on 7 October 2021 within Opromor-Peretoror in Ekeremor LGA of Bayelsa State. The raid led to the destruction of 5 bunkering camps, 16 cooking ovens and 21 reservoirs.
“In the same vein, on 7 October 2021, troops of 81 Division, acting on a tip-off, intercepted a large barge of illegally bunkered petroleum products along the Ojodu-Berger waterways.
“In a related development, a Joint Patrol team comprising own troops of 2 Division, Para-military personnel and vigilantes, while on clearance operations around Ezizubowa, Obadan and Orokosa communities in Uhunmwonde LGA of Edo State, rescued 18 kidnap victims from kidnappers hideout at Ezizubowa forest. The troops overwhelmed the criminals and forced them to flee the hideout.
“Troops subsequently rescued the kidnap victims and recovered 20 cartridges, 70 rounds of 7.55mm ammunition, 1 HP Laptop, 15 mobile phones, and the sum of N223, 200.00 only, amongst others.
On the operations in the southwest, Nwachukwu said: Troops of 32 Artillery Brigade responded to an attack by kidnappers in Gboyin Local Government Area of Ekiti State. The troops rescued 2 victims and arrested 2 suspects. They further recovered 68 rustled cattle, one Dane Gun, one Motorcycle and 2 vehicles.
“Additionally, on 8 October 2021, troops of 81 Division, in collaboration with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), conducted an anti-drug raid operation at Idi-Oro in Mushin, Lagos State. During the operation, 8 suspected drug dealers, including a foreign national in possession of several sacks of substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa and other psychoactive drugs, estimated to worth about Six Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N6, 500,000.00) were intercepted.
“Same day, troops of 2 Division apprehended a serial impostor, one Ahmad Suleiman, following credible information on his nefarious activities in defrauding unsuspecting members of the general public around Tanke general area of Ilorin township. The suspect was arrested with 2 Guard belts and 1 pair of camouflage inner shirt and trouser, amongst other items.
“On 9 October 2021, troops of 2 Division deployed for Exercise Still Waters arrested 6 suspected bandits’ logistics suppliers during a stop and search operation, following actionable intelligence reports on the movement of logistics supplies for bandits in Kaiama Forest, Borgu LGA of Kwara state.
“The suspects were arrested with 160 gallons which the suspects confessed were used in conveying fuel to bandits. The suspects and recovered items have been handed over to appropriate authorities for further investigation. Furthermore, on 12 October 2021, troops of 6 Division conducted a fighting patrol to Rumuekpe general area in Rivers State, where 3 dumps with illegally refined products were discovered and destroyed.”
