Suspected IPOB Commander, six fighters killed by military in sting operation

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and their counterparts from the Nigerian Army and Department of State Security Service (DSS) in a joint operation, in the early hours of today, April 24, 2021 stormed the operational headquarters of suspected insurgents described as IPOB militias in Awomama Village, Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State.

The insurgents are said to be responsible for the attack on the Imo State Police Headquarters and the headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service on April 5, 2021. They have also allegedly carried out series of calculated, violent attacks on security personnel and formations in the South East and South South of the country.

An intelligence source told PRNigeria that as the security forces approached the base of the insurgents, they came under rapid fire from the group.

“In a bold and clinical response, the joint security forces fought back gallantly.

The Forces eventually neutralized the overall commander of the insurgents in the Southeast popularly known as Ikonso Commander and six other armed fighters of the insurgent group.

“Commander Ikonso is known as the Vice President designate as well as the coordinator of all the militia operations of the group. He was the mastermind and coordinator of the attack on the Imo Police Headquarters and several other attacks on security and military personnel and facilities.

“The operation is part of deliberate effort by the Police and other security forces to quell the activities of insurgents in Imo State and other States of the South East and South South region of the country,” the source added.

It disclosed that “after the fierce gun battle, the security team recovered the remains of Ikonso Commander and the six of his fighters. Several sophisticated weapons including six AK47 rifles, hundreds of ammunition of different caliber and lots of charms including bullet Proof charms were recovered from the insurgents.”

At the time of filing this report, three policemen and one army officer were receiving treatment having sustained serious bullet injuries during exchange of gunfire with the insurgents.