The Nigerian Army has refuted claims made by certain online media outlets regarding an attack on troops and the deaths of several soldiers and civilians at a council area secretariat in Imo State.
On Thursday, Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, Acting Deputy Director of the 82 Division Army Public Relations, released a statement in Enugu, declaring the reports as “entirely false and mere fabrications from sympathizers of a dissident group.”
“The 82 Division Nigerian Army has been made aware of these baseless allegations circulating in some online media, which assert that an attack on our troops stationed at the Ehime Mbano Local Government Secretariat resulted in numerous casualties.
“This narrative is a fabrication, originating from the minds of the terrorist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and their supporters, aimed at undermining the confidence of the people of Imo and, by extension, the entire South-East region,” Unuakhalu stated.
He recalled that on October 3, 2023, the Local Government Headquarters of Isiala Mbano LGA, constructed with public funds, was destroyed by the same IPOB/ESN criminal elements; however, there were no attacks or casualties among our troops or civilians.
The spokesman pointed out that a similar attempt occurred at the Ehime Mbano council area secretariat late on Wednesday, October 8, 2024.
Fortunately, he noted, the valiant efforts of our troops thwarted the criminals’ attempt to breach the council area secretariat.
“The armed assailants, who approached in large numbers and fired indiscriminately from a distance, were forced to retreat due to the superior firepower of our vigilant and courageous troops.
“In a follow-up operation conducted early today, evidence of heavy casualties among the dissidents was confirmed, as indicated by bloodstains found on the Ehime Mbano-Oriagwu Road,” he added.
Unuakhalu urged the public to dismiss the misinformation disseminated by these online publications, assuring that troops remain committed to safeguarding citizens and vital government infrastructure in the state while decisively confronting any criminal elements seeking to disrupt order.
He condemned the “cowardly actions of these dissidents,” who destroy public buildings funded by taxpayers, where law-abiding citizens earn their livelihoods, calling their behavior “deeply unfortunate.”
“The IPOB elements demonstrate that they are not acting in the interest of the people, but for their own selfish motives.
“The 82 Division Headquarters encourages all Imolites and residents of the South-East to continue providing security information that will assist law enforcement in eliminating these criminal elements by calling our toll-free line 193 and selecting Option 2.
“The good citizens of the South-East region are urged to carry on with their daily socio-economic activities without fear or intimidation from any group.”
