By Nwafor Okafor
Five soldiers said to be on reinforcement duty over attack by Biafra militants have allegedly died in an auto crash in Anambra State while scores are critically injured.
It was gathered that the incident happened on Tuesday after a Mine-resistant, Ambush Protected Vehicle(MRAP) on a reinforcement mission to Ihiala crashed.
A source said,” The soldiers from the 302 Artillery Regiment, General Support, Onitsha were on their way to Ihiala to join with their colleagues at a military checkpoint after receiving information that operatives of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) were planning to attack the checkpoint.
The Director of Army Public Relations Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, confirmed that two soldiers died in the in accident.
Nwachukwu said,” 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.
He also confirmed that the victims were on a reinforcement mission to Ihiala following a distress call.
He said,,“On receipt of a distress call, troops of the Nigeria Army 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.
“Items recovered from the gunmen during the encounter include one motorcycle, two pump action double barrel guns, 12 live cartridges and substances suspected to be cannabis amongst others.
“While we pray for the repose of the souls of deceased personnel, the general public are enjoined to continue to support the military and other security agencies through the provision of timely and accurate information that could enhance ongoing operations and ultimately, restore peace and stability in the region.” He said.
Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), had in December 2020 launched ESN to protect the people of the South-East region from terrorists and bandits allegedly trooping in from the North.
The IPOB leader described the outfit as a replica of the Western Nigeria Security Network, also known as Amotekun, earlier launched by South-West governors to curb insecurity in their region.
Kanu had said,”The sole aim and objective of this newly formed security outfit known as Eastern Security Network are to halt every criminal activity and the terrorist attack on Biafraland.
“This outfit, which is a vigilante group like the Amotekun in the South-West and the Miyetti Allah security outfit, will ensure the safety of our forests and farmland, which terrorists have converted into slaughter grounds and raping fields.”
