Seven soldiers killed in clash with unknown gunmen in Abia community, houses burnt

No fewer than seven operatives of the Nigeria Army have been reportedly killed in an offensive against men of the militia wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Ohafia in the Ohafia Local Government of Abia State.

IDOMA VOICE gathered that the development led to pandemonium in Ohafia and neighbouring villages.

According to an online new medium, Ihioo Reporters, soldiers of 14 Brigade, Army Headquarters, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Barracks, who invaded Ohafia in the Ohafia Local Government of Abia State in search of gunmen suspected to be members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), have burnt down several houses in the area.

Eyewitness sources claimed several residents and indigenes of Elu, Amangwu, Ebem and Ohafia fled their communities to neighbouring villages due to the constant military invasion.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Army has denied bombing any community in Abia state or recording any casualty in the state in a recent offensive against IPOB’s ESN as being reported in the media. The army spokesman, Mohammad Yerima, in a statement on Monday, described the allegations as false reports aimed at tarnishing the image of the force.

The statement partly read, “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a story making rounds in the social media that troops are on vengeance mission in some communities in Abia State following the death of six soldiers in a clash with ESN/IPOB terrorists. The story further alleged that as a result, residents of Elu, Amangwu and Amaekpu in Ohafia LGA have embarked on mass exodus out of fear.

The NA wishes to debunk the allegation as baseless fabrication aimed at not only tarnishing the good image of the NA but to create distrust between the public and security agents in the state.”