AGS NEWS – Troops of the Nigerian Army, alongside other security agencies, have reportedly thwarted an attempt by an Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) expert suspected to be affiliated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its security arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Orsu, Ihitteukwa, Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.

The operation, conducted on Thursday, was detailed in a Facebook post by the Nigerian Army Headquarters.

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Security personnel from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Nigerian Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and other agencies were engaged in a clearance operation around Udaah, Identa Ihitteukwa, and Awo Idemili in Orsu Local Government Area when they encountered the suspected assailants.

During the operation, the criminal elements reportedly engaged the advancing troops with gunfire, hand-held IEDs, and locally-made rockets (known as Ogbunigwe).

The troops responded, resulting in the neutralization of one attacker who was allegedly connecting an explosive to its power source.

Recovered items included locally-made rocket launchers, defused IEDs, pipes, wires, and other materials used in the production of explosives and rocket launchers.

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The troops discovered several ditches used as obstacles on the roads linking the communities by the ESN elements.