Nigerian Troops Kill Three During Attack on Imo State Community
- The Nigerian Army continues to face accusations of indiscriminate killings by its soldiers across the country
- In Imo, residents of a community say soldiers killed two labourers and a trader and tagged them as separatists
- Youths in the community have reportedly fled the area for fear of being killed by the rampaging soldiers
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Orsu - A report by Premium Times reveals that three persons were killed on Tuesday, August 30 when troops of the Nigerian Army invaded Orsu-Ihiteukwa, a community in Orsu local government area of Imo state.
According to the report, troops operating in armoured vehicles opened fire on residents.
Source: Facebook
A resident of the community, Chidi Ibekaeme, said the soldiers have been attacking the community since September, 2021.
He said the troops carried out the attacks under the guise of launching an onslaught against suspected members of Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militant wing of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
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He said during the latest attack, two of the victims identified as, Ugochukwu Obianeli and Nonso, were killed while they were molding cement blocks in the community.
One other victim, a yet-to-be-identified elderly man, was shot on his legs by the troops at a market, according to sources from the community.
Ibekaeme said Obianeli is his brother-in-law, whose new wife gave birth in eight months ago.
His words:
“The unfortunate thing is that whenever they come (to attack ESN members), they normally kill innocent people who are in their various houses. We have been going through a lot in my community.”
Army says those killed are IPOB members
In a statement posted on its Twitter page, the Nigerian Army said the duo killed during the operation were IPOB/ESN members.
The army stated:
“The troops encountered the dissidents while carrying out a raid operation around the general area of Orsu Ihitte Ukwa and Ihitte Nansa.”
Gunmen on uniform set houses ablaze in Imo community
Recall that gunmen on uniforms went on rampage in Imo state by setting ablaze several houses and shops in a community recently.
An eyewitness in the area said the gunmen may be security operatives as they were putting on uniforms.
Residents of the community fled into the bush to escape from possible harm by the gunmen.
Insecurity: CODE to launch monthly security dossiers in Nigeria
In a related development, a Civil Society Organisation, Connected Development (CODE) is launching a monthly security dossier that will serve as security advisory for policymakers and security agencies in Nigeria.
The Chief Executive Officer of CODE, Mallam Hamzat Lawal revealed this during an interactive session with media executives on Friday, August 6.
According to Lawal, the monthly security dossiers will be regular and timely over time.
Source: Legit.ng
