Reports have revealed military invasion in some communities within Ebonyi, Rivers, and Imo States; in a bid to conducting house to house raids, arresting suspected members of Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network.
The raid was said to have begun on Monday as supposed IPOB family members; mostly young men, were arrested and taken to an unknown locations for questioning.
The Nigerian army, and the police intelligence response team stormed houses in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and Igbo-Eze communities.
Similarly, Sahara Reporters confirmed that security forces carried out operations in Owerri, adjoining communities in Imo state, and Igwuocha area of Rivers State.
An eyewitness who confirmed the incident said, “There was a shoot out in Douglas Road, Owerri, yesterday between the army, police and unknown gunmen who were said to be aggrieved over the indiscriminate arrests. The army personnel are all over Onicha-Igboeze LGA, and are going from house to house picking up suspected IPOB members and their families.
“Some of our brothers were abducted here in Igwuocha and in Borokiri (Rivers State) by the police who tagged them ‘unknown gunmen’. Our people are seriously under attack,” another source confirmed.
SaharaReporters, also gathered that the Nigerian Army would be having a seven day show down with the IPOB and ESN in an apparent show of force and had moved in new ammunitions and explosives into the 34 Artillery Brigade in Obinze, near Owerri in Imo
State.
It was also gathered from reliable military sources that the army planned to blow off some of its exposed military hardware; including explosives in order to create panic for the IPOB and ESN militants and wade them off security stations.
They confirmed to that the reinforcements were drawn from some battalions including the 231 Tank Battalion in BIU, Borno State which is under the 3 Armored Division, Jos, Plateau State.
“Yes, some troops are moving from North East to the South East as reinforcements; they started moving from Wednesday. Among them are those from the 231 Tank Battalion. They are believed to be more trained in quelling uprisings,” a top source confirmed.
Ijeoma Njoku reporting, Obinwannem News | May 19, 2021
