The Nigerian Army has claimed that recent killings, arson, and destructions in the South East were orchestrated and executed by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, stated this while briefing newsmen on the ongoing army exercises across the country, yesterday, in Abuja.
Nwachukwu said the group had engaged in killing innocent citizens and burning of houses and turned around to accuse personnel of the Nigerian army of perpetrating the acts.
He urged the public to disregard the various videos in circulation depicting army personnel as enemies of the people.
Nwachukwu said that troops of 82 Division operating under “Exercise Golden Dawn” in the region had continued to protect lives and property as well as checkmating the activities of IPOB/ESN in the region.
He said that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, had, on October 4, inaugurated Exercises Still Waters, Enduring Peace And Golden Dawn in the South-South, South West, North-Central, and southeast zones, covering 20 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He said the exercises were traditionally scheduled to hold in the last quarter of the year, to checkmate all forms of crimes as the yuletide approaches.
Under Exercise Golden Dawn, Nwachukwu said 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.
He said the act was perpetrated by one Chukwunonso Iherue, a convict who was among the escapees from the Owerri Correctional Centre on April 5.
He said Iherue masterminded the attack on Izombe Divisional Police Headquarters on May 14, during which four of his gang members were neutralised.
The army spokesperson also noted that Iherue also masterminded the attack on the same Police Divisional Headquarters on August 13, where three policemen were killed.
He added that the said Iherue and his gang members were seen parading the 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 but he escaped with the help of some persons until he was later neutralised, when he engaged the troops with 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 October 7.
He added that troops also foiled an attack by suspected IPOB/ESN gunmen at Arochukwu Correctional Facility in Abia, among other operational successes in the southeast zone of the country.
