By Linus Aleke
The Nigerian Army (NA), Wednesday night said, it has launched a search and rescue operation to rescue one of its soldiers abducted in the Ohafia area of Abia State.
This is even as the troops of the Nigerian Army killed three members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), while a soldier paid the supreme price during the rescue operation.
The Service also said that the soldier identified as Staff Sergeant Bassey Ikunugwan, was officially on leave pass when he was abducted by unknown abductors.
Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement, also refuted the trending report that its troops invaded the Amangu community in Abia state.
Gen. Nwachukwu said, “the attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to some publications making the rounds on social media and some mainstream media alleging that troops of Headquarters 82 Division NA invaded the Amangu community in Abia state. Considering the weighty nature of the allegation, the Nigerian Army deems it necessary to clear the air on this atrocious incident.
On 2 November 2022, a soldier named Staff Sergeant Bassey Ikunugwan, who was officially on leave pass, was abducted along Road Okwu-Ebem Ohafia in Abia State. Consequently, on Thursday 3 November 2022, acting on a credible intelligence report, troops embarked on a Search and Rescue Operation at Amangu Village/Forest, having confirmed same as an Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) enclave, where the soldier was reportedly held, hostage. During the search and rescue operations, contact was made with members of the proscribed armed groups resulting in exchange of fire”.
The Army Spokesperson added that, in continuation of the search and rescue operations, on 4 November 2022, troops deployed at Okon Aku in Abia State came in contact with members of the armed groups, during which troops neutralized one of the criminals and recovered one AK 47 rifle with a magazine loaded with 7 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) and one mobile phone.
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“In a follow-up operation on 5 November 2022, troops raided another enclave of the groups around Amangu Village in Abia State. During the operation, troops neutralized two of the criminals, while some fled with gunshot wounds. Troops recovered two locally fabricated AK 47 rifles, four Pump Action guns, one locally made Pistol, one Sniper rifle, six magazines, 13 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) and one Motorcycle.
Other items recovered from the dissidents are 2 CCTV cameras, one solar panel, flags, one walkie-talkie, 2 mobile phones, two pamphlets of Biafran anthem, one INEC box, 12 face caps, machetes, pairs of combat boots, pairs of rain boot, camouflage uniforms, one transistor radio, two jungle hats, two knee guards, one power bank, one INEC image capturing machine and a PVC. Sadly, during these engagements, one soldier paid the supreme sacrifice,” the statement further revealed.
The NA he said will leave no stone unturned in the search of the abducted soldier.
General Nwachukwu however, assured the public that all operations will be conducted within the ambit of the law and in line with global best practices, Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct guiding NA operations.
“It should be clear to all that criminal acts of attack on and abduction of service personnel are an act against the State which will not go without consequences. The recourse to the employment of propaganda by these criminal elements will not deter the Army from carrying out its constitutional mandate. Law-abiding citizens of the Amangu community are also advised to go about their legitimate businesses without panic, as the military is always on ground to protect lives and properties,” the statement concluded.
