The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, has lauded the combined troops of 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police and Operatives of the Department of State Services for their effort in neutralizing two Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN) fighters and arresting five others after a fierce encounter on Monday, July 17, 2023.

This was made known in a statement released on the Nigerian Army Twitter official handle, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu.

The COAS also "urged them (combined troops) to sustain the synergy, as they restore peace and tranquility in the region."

According to the statement, the fierce encounter between the combined troops and the terrorists took place on Monday, 17 July 2023 at Fuji Junction general area in Asaba, Delta state, after distress calls that the community was under attack from terrorists was received by the security team. 

"The terrorists succumbed to the overwhelming fire power of the troops, after two of their members fell in the fire fight that ensued, while the survivors fled to their hideout around Okpanam river. The gallant troops in pursuit of the fleeing criminal elements, successfully trailed them to their enclave in a house around Okpanam river, where they were nabbed," the statement reads.

Among weapons recovered from the terrorists include "one AK 47 Rifle, one Pump Action Semi Automatic Rifle, 15 Live Cartridges, one AK 47 Rifle Magazine and a Baofeng Radio Receiver."
 

The security "implore members of the public to continue to cooperate with the security agencies by providing actionable information to support their operations to tackle security challenges."

Recall that troops of 192 Battalion  Nigerian Army (NA) operating in 81 Division Area of Responsibility busted an international ammunition smuggling syndicate that was transporting a truck load of smuggled ammunition to Anambra State in the south-east on Saturday 15 July 2023.

Source: Twitter @HQNigerianArmy

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