The Nigerian Army High Command on Tuesday said that its Troops have made a significant inroad in the ongoing fight against terrorism and insurgency, as they uncovered and neutralized a major firearms and drone manufacturing factory operated by armed fighters of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its infamous militia arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) at Onicha Ulona in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State.
This was contained in a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja by Director Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu
It explained that the intelligence-led operation revealed that the dissidents were using the factory to carry out criminal activities and terrorize neighbouring communities and innocent citizens.
According to the statement, “upon swooping on the illegal factory, the troops were met with stiff resistance, but overpowered the Armed fighters in the fierce firefight that followed.
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“The gallant troops neutralized two of the fighters and recovered a substantial cache of arms and ammunition.”
It explained further that items captured by the troops include a wide range of IPOB/ESN firearms, ammunition, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and a drone manufacturing factory.
“Other items recovered are a variety of weapons, drones under construction, with prototypes, Improvised Explosive Device materials, a fully equipped workshop, and several power generating sets.
“Troops also apprehended four male and two female fighters during the operation.”
The statement added that the Nigerian Army assured the public of troops’ unalloyed commitment to dismantling terrorists’ and insurgents’ networks in their effort to mitigate security challenges in the nation and urged the public to continue to support the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, as they strive to restore peace and stability in the country.
