In a brutal dawn attack on Wednesday, gunmen killed two soldiers at a military checkpoint along the Umuahia-Owerri Road in Abia State, near the Imo boundary.
The assailants, who reportedly drove a white Lexus, fled after a fierce exchange, leaving behind a Sienna and Lexus Jeep, according to Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA.
In his statement, Unuakhalu linked the attack to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network.
“During the attack, the gallant troops were able to repel the irredentists, forcing them to withdraw in disarray with gunshot wounds,” he said, noting that the soldiers “paid the supreme price” in the line of duty.
The military has urged South-East residents to provide credible information to help apprehend those responsible.
The incident marks a concerning escalation in regional tensions, with soldiers in the area facing increasing threats.
The Joint Task Force reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and property in accordance with established rules of engagement, stressing the importance of collaboration with the local community to tackle these security threats effectively.
