Army raids IPOB hideout, recovers weapons, ammunition

Troops of the Nigerian Army raided a suspected Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) hideout and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition in Obibi Forest, Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State.

This is contained in an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Thursday in Abuja.

The report said the operation was conducted at about 5:37 p.m. on Wednesday by troops of the 197 Special Forces Battalion, in collaboration with the 342 Army Reference Hospital, Nigeria Police Force and vigilantes.

It said the troops apprehended one suspected IPOB member and recovered one General Purpose Machine Gun, one G3 rifle and one magazine containing 15 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.

“The troops also recovered an additional 64 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, one motorcycle and charms during the raid.

“The apprehended suspect and recovered items were handed over to the 34 Artillery Brigade for further investigation and action.

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The statement said that in a related operation, troops of the 143 Battalion also apprehended seven suspected drug peddlers around Nunya community in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia.

According to the statement, the suspects were arrested at about 12:08 p.m. on Wednesday, with preliminary investigation indicating that one of them allegedly operated a medicine store at Eluama.

“The suspect was allegedly supplying drugs to the other members of the group.

“The seven suspects were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police, Ovim Division, for further investigation,” the statement said.