Army troops, in collaboration with sister services and other security agencies, have successfully eliminated an Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) specialist affiliated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Orsu-Ihitteukwa, Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.

The troops, comprising the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Nigerian Police, Department of State Services and the Nigerian Securities and Civil Defence Corps, were on a clearance operation around Udaah, Identa Ihitteukwa and Awo Idemili in Orsu LGA of Imo State.

They made contact with the dissidents, who opened fire, lobbed hand-held IEDs and launched locally made rockets (Ogbunigwe) at the advancing troops.

According to army spokesman, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, while troops advanced, several IEDs were detonated by the terrorists, who fled in disarray. One of the dissidents was neutralised while connecting the explosive to its power source.

Items recovered include locally made rocket launchers, defused IEDs, pipes, wires and other materials used in the production of explosives.

The troops also covered several ditches used as obstacles on the roads linking the communities by the ESN elements.

“The Nigerian Army will continue to conduct its operations to deter the irredentist from freedom of action,” he assured.