The Nigerian Army has said that its troops have killed a commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra’s (IPOB) Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Imo State, identified as Tochukwu Aka Ojoto.

The Army said that the killing of the ESN Commander was sequel to the capturing of the stronghold of the IPOB/ESN at ‘Mother Valley,’ stating that the criminal elements had been making efforts to establish other camps in the general area and other places.

According to a statement by the Army: “Troops of the Nigerian Army in conjunction with personnel from Nigeria Police, Department of State Services, and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, have conducted a successful special clearance operation across the general areas of Udda, Ihiteukwa, and Orsumoghu, along the borders of Orsu and Ihiala Local Government Areas of Imo and Anambra States, respectively.

“The troops encountered members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) who have been using the area as a sanctuary.

“On sighting troops the insurgents employed guerrilla tactics, lobbing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from concealed positions and riddling the roads with booby traps.

“Despite the terrorists’ guerrilla tactics, troops maintained their resolve and countered the attacks with tactical precision, employing superior firepower to neutralize notorious IPOB/ESN Ihiteukwa terrorist camp Commander known as Tochukwu, alias Ojoto and two others,” the Army stated.