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Nigerian Army has said it foiled attempts by armed group often referred to as unknown gunmen to use Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs to cause mayhem today in Mgbidi and Awo-Omamma cummunities in Imo state

Nigerian Army described the unknown gunmen as members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and its alleged armed wing, Eastern Security Network, ESN, adding, the armed group attempted to use the IEDs to unleash mayhem on residents of Mgbidi and Awo-Omamma cummunities in Oru East Local Government area of Imo State for refusing to observe the sit-at-home order foisted on them every Monday since August 9 to demand the unconditional release of the Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

OsazuwaAkonedo reports the unknown gunmen before now use direct or unprogrammed devices like hand Rocket propelled grenade and petrol bombs to break barriers when they do attack prisons, police and military facilities.

According to the Nigerian Army in a statement signed by Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, the swift response of troops compelled the attackers, mounted on two Sienna Buses and a Toyota Hilux truck to abandon their mission and withdrew in disarray.

“Troops are currently on the trail of the criminals”, Army said in a statement.

The Nigerian Army also said troops uncovered four Improvised Explosive Devices planted by members of the proscribed IPOB/ ESN, in their desperate effort to inflict harm on unsuspecting motorists and other road users along Orlu – Owerri road.

The Nigerian Army statement reads thus:

Troops conducting Exercise GOLDEN DAWN Sector 3 have thwarted an attempt by members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN) to unleash mayhem on residents of Mgbidi and Awo Mmamma communities in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo state. The group targeted terrorising the people for lawfully refusing to observe the illegal sit-at-home order foisted on them on Monday 6 November 2021.

The swift response of troops compelled the attackers, mounted on two Sienna Buses and a Toyota Hilux truck to abandon their mission and withdrew in disarray. Troops are currently on the trail of the criminals.

In a separate development, troops have uncovered four Improvised Explosive Devices planted by members of the proscribed IPOB/ ESN, in their desperate effort to inflict harm on unsuspecting motorists and other road users along Orlu – Owerri road.

Photo grid shows Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs allegedly planted by unknown gunmen, the Nigerian Army described as members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and Eastern Security Network, ESN to bomb motorists and other road users along Orlu-Owerri road at Mgbidi, Awo-Omamma cummunities in Imo State today to enforce the sit-at-home order PHOTO: NIGERIAN ARMY

The vigilant troops, who were on a reinforcement mission to Mgbidi/Awo Mmama detected the IEDs planted at about 15 meters apart on both sides of the road and safely defused them. No casualty was recorded during the defusion.

The troops also recovered four wraps of unexploded ordnances, one motor cycle battery, two vehicle alarm devices, one detonator, wires and batteries. The road has been safely cleared and motorists have resumed plying the road.

We urge all law abiding citizens to go about their normal businesses and disregard the illegal sit at home order.

We also appeal to the good people of Mgbidi, Awo Mmama and Omuma Communities to report any suspected movement of members of the irredentist group, who may be seeking a safe haven, to relevant security agencies.

Kindly support our vision of building a community of one million pen soldiers whose successes will be judged based on positive development in the society