The Armed Forces of Nigeria has confirmed the arrest of over 100 suspects for the killing of soldiers and civilians on May 31, by suspected IPOB fighters at a military checkpoint in Obikabia Junction, Ogbor Hill, Obingwa LGA, Aba , where troops of Operation Udoka were deployed in Abia State.
The arrests of persons were made as the Nigerian military cracks down on the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its Eastern Security Network (ESN) ally.
The Director of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba made this disclosure on Thursday in Abuja, saying, the military had launched offensive operations in a raid of IPOB camps in the state, in which several arrests were made.
The director who was briefing the media on the activities of troops in the various theatres of operations across the country, also spoke authoritatively on the Aba incident stating that the arrested suspects are in custody helping the troops in investigations into the killing.
Recall that Ohanaeze Ndigbo and CSOs had alleged mass killings in the South East, accusing the military of masterminding the mass arrests and killings of innocent citizens in the region, in a reprisal attack.
The director further said that while the investigation is ongoing, anyone among those arrested that is not linked to the killing of the soldiers was freed. However, he said the suspects have been providing useful information. He said the military is on the trail of IPOB/ESN leaders for the soldiers’ killing.
He spoke categorically, saying, “Sequel to the killings of 5 personnel at the checkpoint in Abia. Troops conducted several intelligence -based operations that led to the discovery and destruction of several IPOB/ESN terrorists camps across the region such as at Igboro Forest in Arochukwu LGA of Abia State among others.
“Several arrests were made from the raids with those found to be culpable still in detention. Surely, there is intelligence value to the raids and arrests that were made.
“Those in detention are assisting troops to locate other camps, sleeper cells and high profile individuals involved in the activities of the terrorists group”.
