Nigeria military neutralises IPOB/ESN fighter in Anambra

On Saturday morning, Nigerian Army's 185 Battalion, alongside Military Police, Department of State Services, and local vigilantes, carried out a dawn offensive in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State. Intelligence indicated strongholds of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the East-South-East Force (ESN) were located in Obene and Abator villages within Ochuche and Umunankwo communities.

The troops launched an early assault on these suspected locations, provoking the terrorists into fleeing while under heavy gunfire. Post-assault, the troops pursued the fleeing fighters and traced bloodstains leading to their retreat route. In this pursuit, one of the terrorists was killed, while others reportedly escaped with the body of another operative who was also shot during the operation.

The military recovered two pump-action guns, two motorcycles, and suspected materials for crafting improvised explosive devices (IED). However, the operation took a tragic turn when Private Danladi Zakariya, a soldier, stepped on an IED while troops were returning to their start line. The blast inflicted severe injuries on Zakariya, who succumbed to severe blood loss before reaching the hospital. His remains were later deposited at the St. Charles Borromeo Hospital mortuary in Onitsha.

Despite this loss, the troops maintained control of the area and persisted with their offensive operations against the suspected IPOB/ESN elements. The troops' morale and fighting efficiency remained high, ensuring the terrorists' freedom of action within the region was curtailed.