The Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN), an armed offshoot of the putative Indigenous People of Biafra, attempted to attack the 34 Artillery Brigade’s Forward Operating Base at Ukwuorji, which is located along the Owerri-Onitsha motorway.
The ‘irredentist fighters’ tried to attack the troops on August 20, 2023, but failed when they came under the superior firepower of the watchful troops, according to the army spokesman, Brig. General Onyema Nwachukwu. One of the fighters was neutralised by the troops, and while others fled, two more were taken into custody.
One car, one phone, one machete, nine empty cases of used 7.62 mm special ammo, and one empty case of used 12.7 mm ammo were among the items found at the scene of the shootout.
Another occurrence was the surrender of a Boko Haram fighter and his wife to soldiers from the 26 Task Force Brigade Garrison in Gwoza after intensive combat operations against rebels in the northeast. One AK 47 rifle and 10 live rounds of 7.62 mm Special Ammunition are among the items retrieved from the terrorist.
On August 21, 2023, in a separate operation, soldiers from 1 Brigade Garrison, operating under 8 Division, Area of Responsibility, attacked terrorists who were planning to attack Bobo Village in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State. They did this based on actionable intelligence. In a bloody battle with the terrorists, troops killed two of the criminals and took two AK-47 rifles, four motorcycles, and other property.
The Nigerian Army appeals to all law-abiding individuals to assist in its activities to increase security throughout the nation.