Troops of the Nigerian Army deployed for operations in Ebonyi State have thwarted an attack by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra on Isheke Police Station.
The IPOB fighters were said to have invaded the station and torched the facility as well as several vehicles on the premises.
In a statement posted on Thursday on X, the service said its troops on arrival at the scene engaged the IPOB fighters in a gun duel.
The Army added that the fighters were overpowered and five of them were killed while others fled the scene.
The statement read, “Troops of the Nigerian Army in a swift and decisive response have repelled an attack on Isheke Police Station which came under attack by suspected IPOB terrorists resulting in the torching of the facility and several vehicles.
“Troops, on arrival at the scene, launched a counter-attack on the terrorists overpowering and compelling them to flee in disarray.
“Accordingly, troops engaged the terrorists in a hot pursuit, leading to an intense gun battle, which resulted in the elimination of five suspected terrorists and seizure of several weapons.”
The Army also said troops recovered several dangerous weapons from the fighters.
“The troops recovered one PKT Machine Gun with a link belt containing 94 rounds of ammunition, 2 AK-47 rifles with 3 magazines, containing 11 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one Submachine Gun with a magazine, and a Sienna SUV with registration number Ebonyi CHR 364 JC.
“The Nigerian Army will continue to operate in synergy with sister services and other security agencies to combat the terrorists’ activities by IPOB and its armed affiliate, the ESN. We urge all law-abiding citizens to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement or activity to the security agencies.”