Some hideouts of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its Eastern Security Network(ESN) have been destroyed in Anambra and Imo states by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
NAF said yesterday that the raids were carried out by the air component of Operation UDO KA II, a military operation against criminals in the Southeast on Tuesday.
Spokesperson for NAF Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet said in a statement that the strikes were on IPOB/ESN hideouts in Anambra and Imo states.
Gabkwet did give human casualties. But he hinted that some weapons and ammunition were destroyed.
His statement reads,
“Acting on credible intelligence that IPOB/ESN terrorists had perfected plans to disrupt civic activities lined up in the coming days in Anambra State and other States in Southeast Nigeria from their concealed bunkers/hideouts at Mother Valley Orsumughu, air strikes were authorised in conjunction with ground troops and other security agencies on the location believed to also house some of their weapons and ammunitions.
“The strikes hit the target and were deemed successful following the ball of fire, fleeing terrorists at the location as well as feedback received.”
He said similar airstrikes, in close coordination with ground troops, were conducted the same day at IPOB/ESN hideouts in Aku Ihube In Imo State “after a detailed analysis of intelligence on the terrorists converging for a likely rendezvous at their hideout.”
“Consequently, air strikes were authorised to strike the hideout. The targets were acquired and attacked in succession, with a high degree of success,” Gabkwet said.
According to him, the military and other security agencies would continue with their efforts to ensure that all Nigerians, irrespective of where they reside, are safe and free to conduct their activities without fear of any threat.
“While the determination of the security agencies is unwavering, the support of all Nigerians to the security agencies remains critical to defeating these criminal elements whose only intent is to sow fear and division among the citizenry,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Police in Anambra State have allegedly raided the office of pro-Biafra agitators along Awkuzu-Otuocha Road in Ifitedunu, Dunukofia Local Government Area.
Chris Mocha, senior special assistant to the leader of the Biafra Independence Movement and Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (BM-MASSOB), Ralph Uwazuruike, alleged in a statement yesterday that the police arrested an 87-year-old agitator , Sylvester Dinyelu and two others— Beka Udemefuna and Amauche Ode, during the raid.
Before leaving, the operatives took away enlarged photographs of the late Biafra warlord, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Uwazuruike and 16 plastic chairs.
Mocha said,
“The members of BIM-MASSOB were seated in the office at Ifitedunu when the heavily armed policemen numbering over five arrived at the office in the evening and shot sporadically into the air, causing people living around the area to scamper for their safety.
“The arrested members were handcuffed, Ojukwu and Uwazuruike’s enlargement photographs and 16 plastic chairs were taken to Awkuzu, Anambra State.”
Mocha maintained that the arrested BIM-MASSOB members had never constituted a security risk to the state and should therefore be released.
Contacted by the newsmen on the development, the state police command spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, replied with: “Thank you for the information.”
But a senior Police officer in the state, who preferred anonymity, confirmed the development.
The officer said the command was not ready to give any such groups a chance to continue terrorising the state.