Four members of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra/ Eastern Security Network, an officer and a soldier of the Nigerian Army have been killed during a gun battle at Ihiala town in Anambra State.
The Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwanchukwu, said in a statement on Wednesday that the gunmen were out enforcing an illegally imposed sit-at-home order at Ihiala when they had the encounter with troops.
According to him, the leader of the group whose identity was given as Ejike and three others were killed after a gun battle with soldiers.
Nwachukwu said that the soldiers received a distress call for a rescue mission when the ESN members fired sporadically in and around a filling station in Ihiala town.
The Army Spokesman said that the troops recovered one motorcycle, two pump action double barrel guns, 12 live cartridges and substances suspected to be cannabis from the gun men
The Army Spokesman confirmed that an officer and a soldier was killed and two others injured when one of the operational vehicles of the troops got involved in an accident.
He said that the injured soldiers are being treated at a military hospital.
He urged members of the public to give the requisite support to the security forces by volunteering information that could enhance ongoing operations and ultimately, restore peace and stability in the region.
“The gunmen who were out enforcing the illegally imposed sit-at-home order fired sporadically in and around a filling station in Ihiala town.
“On receipt of a distress call, troops of the NA launched out to the location to restore normalcy. On intercepting the dissidents, a fire fight ensued and the gallant troops neutralized their leader, Ejike and three others.
“Sadly, one combat vehicle conveying troops was involved in an accident during the operation following a technical fault.
“One gallant officer and a soldier paid the supreme price in the accident, while two sustained injuries.The injured are currently responding to treatment at a military hospital.”