Army gives reasons for ‘bombing’ Akwa-Ibom community

The Nigerian army has reacted to the viral reports of military invasion of Essien in Udim Local Government Area, Akwa-Ibom State.

There have been reports of violation of human rights of locals by Nigerian soldiers reportedly gunning for members of the Biafra-affiliated Eastern Security Network, ESN.

Reacting, the army in a statement issued on Wednesday, 7 April 2021, by its Director of Public Relations, Brig.Gen. Mohammad Yerima, said the operation at Ntak Ikot Akpan was in a bid to flush out miscreants.

The statement read; “MILITARY AND SECURITY AGENCIES CONDUCT JOINT OPERATION AT NTAK IKOT AKPAN IN ESSIEN UDIM LGA OF AKWA IBOM STATE

The general security situation in Akwa Ibom state has been very peaceful until recently when the security situation around Essien Udim Local Government Area of the State became tensed occasioned by activities of some hoodlums and criminal elements. The miscreants exploited various avenues to acquire weapons to perpetrate their heinous crimes. In the past few weeks, the group has attacked various security agencies which resulted in the loss of lives and carting away of weapons. The last incident led to the killing of some Policemen including a CSP. The hoodlums continued to terrorise law abiding citizens through extortions and infringement on their rights.

Consequently a combined team of Military and Security Agencies in the State conducted a clearance operation at Ntak Ikot Akpan to in order to flush out the miscreants. The operation was successfully executed and resulted in the dislogment of the criminals while fleeing hoodlums were neutralised by the Air Component.

Normalcy has been restored in the area while the Police personnel have since assumed full control and carrying out normal duties.

Members of public are advised not to panic but to remain calm and continue to support the security agencies to further consolidate on the successes recorded so far.

You are kindly requested to disseminate this information to the general public through your medium.

Thank you for your usual cooperation.”

Eastern Security Network, ESN, is a regional security outfit, set up by the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.