Troops of the 185 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Military Police, Department of State Services and local vigilantes, have neutralised an IPOB/ESN operative during an offensive operation in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.
In a post on X by counter-terrorism expert, Zagazola Makama on Sunday, he said the operation was conducted at about 5:00 am on Saturday, following intelligence on suspected IPOB/ESN strongholds in Obene and Abator villages within the Ochuche and Umunankwo communities.
Zagazola said the troops launched a dawn assault on the identified positions, forcing the terrorists to flee while engaging the advancing troops with gunfire.
According to him, the troops pursued the fleeing fighters and followed bloodstains along their withdrawal route.
He added that one of the terrorists was subsequently neutralised, while the fleeing members of the group reportedly escaped with the corpse of another operative killed during the operation.
He stated that the troops recovered two pump-action guns, two motorcycles and materials suspected to be used for making improvised explosive devices, alongside other sundry items.
The security expert, however, added that the operation suffered a fatal setback when a soldier identified as Private Danladi Zakariya stepped on an IED while troops were returning to their start line.
He said the explosive detonated, causing severe injuries to the soldier, who was immediately evacuated to a hospital but died from severe blood loss while being transported.
“His remains have been deposited at the St. Charles Borromeo Hospital mortuary in Onitsha.
“Despite the loss, the troops maintained control of the area and continued offensive operations against the suspected IPOB/ESN elements.
“The morale and fighting efficiency of the troops remained high as operations continued to deny the terrorists freedom of action within the area,” he said.