The Nigerian Army has claimed that the recent killings, arson, and destructions in the South-East region of the country were orchestrated and executed by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
This was made known by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, while briefing newsmen on the ongoing army exercises across the country in Abuja.
Speaking, the army spokesperson stated that the IPOB/ESN had engaged in killing of innocent citizens and burning of houses and turned around to accuse personnel of Nigerian Army of perpetrating the acts.
Nwachukwu, however, enjoined Nigerians to disregard various videos in circulation depicting army personnel as enemies of the people.
He further stated that troops of 82 Division operating under “Exercise Golden Dawn” in the South-East had continued to protect lives and property as well as checkmating the activities of IPOB/ESN in the region.
He added that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, had on Oct. 4, inaugurated Exercises Still Waters, Enduring Peace And Golden Dawn in the South-South, South-West, North-Central and South-East regions covering 20 states and FCT.
According to the army spokesperson, these exercises are traditionally scheduled to hold in the last quarter of the year to checkmate all forms of crimes as the yuletide approaches.
Nwachukwu said, “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.
“So far, all the exercises have recorded significant successes. I will go through each subsequently by way of reporting.”
Under Exercise Golden Dawn, he disclosed that members of IPOB/ESN had recently engaged in arson and wanton destruction of property at Izombe Community of Oguta Local Government Area of Imo.
Nwachukwu added that the act was perpetrated by one Chukwunonso Iherue, a convict who was among the escapees from the Owerri Correctional Centre on April 5.
He noted that Iherue masterminded the attack on Izombe Divisional Police Headquarters on May 14, during which four of his gang members were neutralised.
The army spokesperson revealed that Iherue also masterminded the attack on the same Police Divisional Headquarters on Aug. 13 where three policemen were killed.
He added that the said Iherue and his gang members were seen parading Izombe community, flying the Biafra insignia on October 1, while threatening and instilling fear in the people, thereby creating tension in the community.
He said when troops attempted to arrest him, he escaped with the help of some persons until he was later neutralised when he engaged the troops with fire from his pistol in a frantic attempt to escape.
Nwachukwu further said that troops of Sector 5 in Anambra neutralised three IPOB gunmen who attacked a Nigerian Police checkpoint on Okija-Onitsha expressway on Oct. 7.
The army spokesperson added that the troops also foiled an attack by suspected IPOB/ESN gunmen at Arochukwu Correctional Facility in Abia, among other operational successes in the South-East region of the country.
