The Nigerian Army said on Wednesday night that its soldiers never entered the Amangu hamlet and only engaged in a search and rescue operation to free one of its abducted soldiers from the militant ESN group’s captivity in Abia state.
However, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, expressed concern that one soldier during the operation paid the ultimate price after a shootout with the insurgents. He made this known in Abuja.
“The Nigerian Army (NA) has been made aware of some articles making the rounds on social media and in the mainstream media that claim that troops from Headquarters 82 Division NA stormed the Amangu community in Abia state,” Nwachukwu stated.
The Nigerian Army believes it is vital to clarify this horrific situation given the seriousness of the allegation.
Staff Sergeant Bassey Ikunugwan, a soldier from Abia State, was kidnapped on the morning of November 2, 2022, while he was formally on leave.
As a result, on November 3, 2022, forces launched a search and rescue operation at Amangu Village/Forest after verifying that it was an enclave of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN), where the soldier was allegedly being held captive.
“Contact with members of the banned armed groups was made during the search and rescue efforts, resulting in an exchange of fire.
“As part of ongoing search and rescue efforts, on November 4, 2022, troops stationed at Okon Aku in Abia State came into contact with members of the armed groups. During this encounter, the troops neutralized one of the criminals and retrieved an AK-47 rifle with a magazine loaded with seven 7.62mm (Special) rounds as well as a mobile phone.
“On November 5, 2022, in a follow-up operation, troops stormed another group’s stronghold in Amangu Village in Abia State.
“During the operation, soldiers neutralized two offenders while others ran after being shot.
The items that the troops found were two locally built AK-47 weapons, four Pump Action rifles, a locally made pistol, a sniper rifle, six magazines, 13 NATO 7.62mm bullets, and a motorcycle.
Two CCTV cameras, a solar panel, flags, a walkie-talkie, two mobile phones, two leaflets of the Biafran anthem, and an INEC box are among the additional goods seized from the dissidents.
Twelve face masks, machetes, rain boots, combat boots, camouflage clothes, a transistor radio, two jungle hats, two knee guards, a power bank, an INEC image capture device, and a PVC are among the additional items.
“Unfortunately, one soldier made the ultimate sacrifice throughout these conflicts.
“The NA will search every possible avenue for the missing soldier.
“The NA ensures the general public that all operations will be carried out in accordance with worldwide best practices, Rules of Engagement, and Codes of Conducts governing NA operations, and within the bounds of the law.
Everyone should understand that attacking and kidnapping service members is a crime against the State and will have repercussions.
“These criminal individuals’ use of propaganda will not stop the Army from carrying out its constitutional responsibility.
Law-abiding members of the Amangu community are also urged to carry on with their regular activities without becoming alarmed because the military is constantly on the scene guarding lives and property.
