The Nigerian Army says it has neutralized a member of the IPOB/ESN in a foiled kidnap attack in Amaju Isu Local Government Area of Imo State.

A press release signed by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the troops engaged the suspects in a gun duel when they were trying to kidnap a group of medical doctors and nurses providing free medical care to residents.

The release titled;

TROOPS FOIL KIDNAP ATTEMPT, NEUTRALIZE IPOB/ESN KIDNAPPER, read;

Troops of EXERCISE GOLDEN DAWN Sector 3 on Monday 29 November 2021 neutralized a member of the outlawed IPOB/ESN in a shootout at Amauju Isu Local Government Area of Imo state.

Members of the outlawed group had attempted to kidnap a group of medical doctors and nurses known as, “Doctors on the move Africa”, who were providing free medical care to inhabitants of Amucha Community in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State.

The troops in conjunction with the Nigerian Air Force  211 Quick Response Group  and the Nigerian Police on receipt of actionable intelligence on the criminal plot, swiftly moved in and rescued the medical team. The medical team have been  escorted to a safe location.

The troops afterwards went after the hoodlums and made contact with them at Amauju Isu Local Government Area of Imo state, where they were found enforcing the illegal sit at home order in  Amauju. In the fire fight that ensued, one of the criminals was neutralized, while the others took to their heels. One of them, who had escaped with gun shot wound was later apprehended by the local Vigilante and handed over to the police.

The gallant troops recovered one pump action shotgun, 5 live cartridges, one Lexus 300 XR SUV and a mobile phone.