Troops thwarts attempted attack on Ebonyi Police Station, kill five IPOB fighters

An attempted attack on Isheke Police Station by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra has been successfully thwarted by Nigerian Army troops that are currently deployed for operations in Ebonyi State.

The IPOB combatants were alleged to have invaded the station and set fire to 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-364JC.

“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.”