Nigerian soldiers have burnt many houses and allegedly killed an undisclosed number of youths during an invasion at Isingwu, a hamlet in Imama Village, Mgbowo in Awgu local government area of Enugu state .
According to Punch, some residents said that the soldiers invaded the community on Monday morning in search of an alleged leader of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) the security arm of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who hailed from the community.
A source said that the said suspect, known as Chocho, was not around when the soldiers invaded the community at about 5am and started shooting indiscriminately, burning houses including the family house of the said suspect.
He said, “They torched his house and sprayed bullets in nearby compounds. In short, the soldiers who were chanting jihadist songs were burning properties in the community like they were at war with the community.”
Although an eyewitness, who pleaded not to be named, said there was no casualty during the attack, there are unconfirmed reports that undisclosed number of youths were killed during the invasion.
The source said, “The villagers were surprised at the invasion because there had not been any attack by ESN members in recent time. We have not had any issue with IPOB or its security wing ESN.
“In short, it is the ESN that stopped herdsmen kidnappings, killings and rape of women in the community and around Awgu council area. Where were the soldiers when the Fulani herdsmen were ruining the community before emergency of the ESN?”
He noted that before the Monday invasion the military had engaged in show of strength, parading the entire town everyday. This development, he said, made the people to live in fear.
