Nine empty cases of spent 7.62 mm Special Ammunition and one empty case of spent 12.7 mm Ammunition were found at the location of the shootout. There was also one vehicle, one mobile phone, one machete, and other items.
The Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN), an armed affiliate of the Indigenous People of Biafra, and its suspected members attempted to attack the 34 Artillery Brigade’s Forward Operating Base at Ukwuorji, which is located along the Owerri-Onitsha Motorway.
Onyema Nwachukwu, director of army public relations, said as much in a statement on Tuesday.
The irredentist fighters attempted to attack the army on August 20, 2023, but were defeated when they were hit by the alert forces’ overwhelming firepower. As others ran, the troops captured two more while neutralising one of the fighters, according to the statement.
Nine empty cases of spent 7.62 mm Special Ammunition and one empty case of spent 12.7 mm Ammunition were found at the location of the shootout. There was also one vehicle, one mobile phone, one machete, and other items.
A Boko Haram fighter and his wife have surrendered, giving forces in the North-East another victory.
The two were found to be in possession of an AK-47 rifle and ten live rounds of special 7.62 mm ammunition when they were captured and turned themselves in to the soldiers of the 26 Task Force Brigade Garrison in Gwoza.
In a separate operation on August 21, 2023, soldiers from 1 Brigade Garrison, acting under the direction of 8 Division, Area of Responsibility, ambushed militants who were planning to attack Bobo Village in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State. In a heated battle with the militants, troops killed two of the criminals and took two AK-47 guns, four motorcycles, and other property,” the statement continued.
The Nigerian Army calls on all law-abiding individuals to assist in its efforts to increase security throughout the nation.
Potential Bandits Captured; Kidnappees Rescued
In related news, 39 criminal suspects have been detained by Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) personnel on Operation HAKORIN DAMISA IV.
The defendants were allegedly linked to crimes like banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery when they were arrested, according to the Army, between August 14 and August 21, 2023.
“The suspects were apprehended at various locations inside the Joint Operation Area of Operation SAFE HAVEN and 3 Division Nigerian Army Area of Responsibility. According to an Army statement, two of the suspects were wanted for their alleged roles in a number of armed robberies and kidnappings.
The suspects were found to be in possession of one AK-47 rifle, one pump-action magnum gun, one AK-47 magazine, 14 rounds of 7.62mm special, and an Itel cell phone, according to the troops. In the Plateau State LGA of Bokkos, a suspected kidnapper and guns dealer was also apprehended.
Additionally, during the operations, troops seized two AK-47 rifles, seven made-up rifles, four pump action cartridges, and two militia gang members who were among those responsible for the previous attacks in Heipang. During a sting operation, a narcotics network operating in Bassa LGA was also captured, and seven drug dealers were detained along with a sizable stash of drugs.
Additionally, in Kubat Community and Mabel village, located in the respective Mangu and Bokkos LGAs, military detained 307 cows for grazing on people’ farms.
The rapid responses of OPSH to a total of 37 distress calls during that time prevented cattle rustling, prevented attacks on vulnerable communities, including those in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom LGAs, and resulted in the rescue of 17 abducted victims.