*As Police storm bandits’ hideout in FCT, arrest suspects

*Appeal to citizens to provide credible information

Troops of Operation UDO KA have neutralised six terrorists following a successful raid on the camp of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Igboro Forest, Arochukwu Local Government of Abia State on Saturday. 

On its part, the DCT Police Command said the raid on bandits’ hideout, was conducted last Friday, in continued effort against criminality in Territory.

It stated that its Special Forces, the Guards Brigade alongside DSS and  hunters stormed identified kidnappers’ camps at Gidan Dogo and Kweti Forest, Kaduna State and arrested four suspects.

A statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, on Sunday, said the operation, was conducted on Friday in continued effort against criminality in FCT.

The arrested suspects are Yahaya Abubakar, 25 ‘m’ of Mpape, Mohammed Mohamed 32 ‘m’ of Zuba (an ex-convict), Umar Aliyu 20 and Nura Abdullahi, 32, also an ex-convict of Kubwa and Zuba hills respectively.

The Military said that during the intelligence-led operation, troops encountered Improvised Explosive Devices along its axis of advance and one soldier sustained minor injury from the fragment.

“The IPOB terrorists’ feeble firefight were adequately subdued with superior firepower that led to the neutralization of six members of the criminal terrorists group, while others escaped into adjoining bushes with varying degrees of gunshot wounds as blood stains were seen along their escape routes.

“The gallant troops recovered three locally fabricated Rocket Propelled Grenade launchers, two locally fabricated Artillery guns with tripod and bombs.

“Other items recovered include dane guns, Biafran flags as well as Toyota Tundra and Hilux vehicles that were burnt insitu. 

“Also all of their camps with different inscriptions were destroyed,” the statement read in part.

The Military called on the people of Abia to continue to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible and timely information to help annihilate the criminals in the State and entire South-East.

Recall that six soldiers were killed last week in an attack by the IPOB/ESN.

The attack took place at Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Area adjourning Aba metropolis, where troops of Operation Udoka were deployed to enforce peace in the area and protect the citizens.