The Nigerian Navy, have refuted reports that some naval officers lost their lives in the duel that ensued between the officials and some suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Anambra state.

Reports had claimed that three naval officers lost their lives as gunmen engaged them in a battle on Monday, August 9 at a Naval checkpoint at Awkuzu.

Reacting in a statement, the Commanding Officer, Naval Outpost Onitsha, Adekunle Okeniyi, confirmed the attack but denied reports that naval officers died, adding that six suspected members of the IPOB were killed in the gun duel, while others suffered serious injuries.

The  statement titled; “Statement by the Naval Outpost Onitsha on the fake news regarding loss of personnel during recent attack” read in part:

“The attention of the Naval Outpost Onitsha has been drawn to some false publications that on the 9th August, 2021, two Naval personnel were killed at Awkuzu, during a gun duel with suspected Indigenous People of Biafra, in Anambra state.

“The Naval Outpost Onitsha, clearly refutes this fake news and wishes to state categorically that none of our own personnel suffered any casualty during the gun duel.

“Rather, the troops fought gallantly and were able to repel the attack which resulted in the loss of six suspected IPOB members, while others suffered serious injury.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Naval Outpost Onitsha calls for an immediate halt to the circulation of this fake news and wishes to advise the general public to disregard it.”