By 
Tayo AFOLABI
At least four members of the proscribed separatist group, IPOB and its militant wing, ESN, have been killed by the military during an encounter in Anambra State.
Army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed in a statement on Saturday, that troops of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army currently conducting a special operation in the South-east, Exercise Golden Dawn, were encountered.
According to Mr Nwachukwu, the incident happened when the assailants stormed a location and attacked a group of security personnel deployed at Ekwulobia Roundabout in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The attack, according to the army, led to swift security mobilisation to the scene and subsequent pursuit of the terrorists along Nnewi – Nnobi road where the fierce encounter took place.
Mr Nwachukwu said arms and ammunition were recovered from the group during an encounter which claimed one soldier.
The resumed hostilities in the region comes about a week to the governorship election of Anambra State.
The election will hold on 6 November.
The ESN has been allegedly responsible for terrorising the region, vowing that the elections would not hold unless its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, currently standing trial, is released from detention.
In Ebonyi State, IPOB/ESN camps, located at Ochokwu Village in Ikwo Local Government Area of were raided by the troops during a clearance operation.
“During the operation, troops exchanged fire with the gunmen occupying the camps.
“They, however, subdued the IPOB militants, compelling them to escape with gunshot injuries.”
Items recovered in the camps include some AK-47 rifles, rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, Rifle Magazines, and Biafra flags, among other items, according to the source.
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