Troops of 82 Div disperse rampaging IPOB/ESN members, allegedly carrying out arson in Awo-Mmamma
Troops
of 82 Div disperse rampaging IPOB/ESN members, allegedly carrying out arson in
Awo-Mmamma
By: Kingsley Omonobi – Abuja.
The Nigerian Army said on Tuesday that its
troops conducting Exercise Golden Dawn have dispersed IPOB/ESN hoodlums
carrying out arson while enforcing the illegitimate Sit-at-Home order imposed
by the proscribed group at Awo-Mmamma Community, Oru East Local Government Area
of Imo State on 22 November 2021.
A statement by Major Abubakar
Abdullahi, Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 82 Division made this
known
It said, “In the quest to compel citizens to comply with the
unlawful order, IPOB/ESN criminals indulged in harassment, intimidation and
physical abuse of commuters going about their lawful businesses.
“The criminals went further to
carry out arson and destruction of businesses and homes at Ishieke junction
(along Owerri-Onitsha expressway) as a vendetta against the citizens for not
complying with the illegal order.
“The hoodlums who had earlier blocked the highway, set ablaze a
commercial vehicle heading towards Onitsha.
“Vigilant troops responding to
distress calls by motorists and shop owners swiftly moved to the scene and
engaged the hoodlums in a firefight.
“The troops overwhelmed the hoodlums forcing them to scamper in
different directions.
“The troops pursued the hoodlums
to their hideout in Akatta Community in Oru East LGA, where a member of the
group was neutralized in the shootout.
“While the troops engaged the hoodlums in their hideout, other
members of the group who alleged that some individuals had volunteered information
to the troops mustered at Ishieke junction and set ablaze houses and businesses
of law-abiding citizens.
“The troops again returned to
the junction to disperse the hoodlums.
“Unfortunately, a gallant soldier paid the supreme prize in
defence of the people.
“It is on record that since the sad events of 5 April 2021 when
some unscrupulous elements invaded the Custodial Centre in Owerri and freed
more than 1,800 inmates, there has been an upsurge in criminalities such as
kidnapping, carjacking, robbery, unwarranted killing and arson in Imo State.
“These criminal elements have since then wreaked havoc in the
State and its environs.
“Even in the face of unwholesome propaganda by IPOB/ESN, other
criminal elements and their collaborators to misinform and mislead Nigerians on
the truth regarding the arson at Awo-Mmamma, the NA will continue to remain
professional.
“The NA appeals to the good people of Imo State to ignore the
propaganda and threats by IPOB and its affiliate groups, who despite their
deceitful calls cancelling the Monday sit at home order, have continued to
intimidate and harass citizens who come out to do their legitimate business.”
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