…Simon Ekpa discredits the report
Nigerian troops, in a joint operation with other security agencies, have successfully neutralised a prominent terrorist figure, Tochukwu alias Ojoto, alongside two other militants of the Indigenous People of Biafra’s, IPOB, Eastern Security Network, ESN.
The operation unfolded on Tuesday within the Ihiteukwa area of Imo state, situated near the border with Anambra state.
A statement issued by the Nigerian Army, NA, confirmed the details. According to the military, Ojoto, who led the IPOB’s ESN unit in Ihiteukwa, was eliminated alongside his comrades during a special clearance operation.
The statement revealed that the troops encountered resistance from IPOB/ESN members who used guerrilla tactics, deploying improvised explosive devices, IEDs, and booby traps.
Despite facing this challenge, the military maintained their resolve and employed “superior firepower” to neutralise Ojoto and the other terrorists.
The operation yielded the recovery of several key items, including firearms, communication devices, narcotics used by the militants, and personal belongings. Notably, troops also seized two unexploded IEDs, six detonated IEDs, and bomb-making materials, which were subsequently destroyed to ensure public safety.
The military believes this operation has dealt a significant blow to terror networks operating in the South East region. The NA did not provide details on any casualties sustained by their forces during the encounter.
Reacting to the report by the Army authorities, Simon Ekpa, the factional leader of the IPOB, called the claim “propaganda.”
His tweet on the post by the NA reads, “We don’t have IPOB ESN in that location, what we have is Biafra Liberation Army (BLA) with heavy firepower, not AK-47. We don’t have any commander called Tochukwu.”
“Those giving information to be used for propaganda are definitely deceiving you. The BLA and all commanders are intact, you can’t win this Biafra war the second time and you can’t win this war with Propaganda and you can no longer force the unity of Nigeria with the barrels of gun.”
Ezinwanne Onwuka, senior staff reporter and columnist with WAP is a Nigerian-based writer and content developer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Her interests include reading, writing, researching and graphic designing.
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