(PHOTOS): How Soldiers Lost Their Lives In Pursuit Of Suspected IPOB/ESN Gunmen

How Soldiers Lost Their Lives In Pursuit Of Suspected IPOB/ESN Gunmen |PHOTOS

The Nigerian Army have lost two of its soldiers in a road accident that happened at Ihiala, Anambra state, on Tuesday, February 8.

The soldiers were said to have been conducting a stop and search operations at Obosi, in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state, when they received a distress call that some suspected IPOB/ESN members were shooting around Total filling station Junction at Ihiala town.

Two personnel lost their lives while two others sustained injuries following an accident which occurred as the Combatant vehicles conveying the troops collided due to a technical fault.

Confirming the incident in a statement, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director, Army Public Relations, said soldiers neutralized four suspected IPOB/ESN gunmen including their leader identified only as Ejike. READ HERE

The statement read in part;

“Sadly, one combat vehicle conveying troops was involved in an accident during the operation following a technical fault. One gallant officer and a soldier paid the supreme price in the accident, while two sustained injuries. The injured are currently responding to treatment at a military hospital.

While we pray for the repose of the souls of deceased personnel, the general public are enjoined to continue to support the military and other security agencies through the provision of timely and accurate information that could enhance ongoing operations and ultimately, restore peace and stability in the region.

Speaking to PUNCH, an official of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), who pleaded anonymity said;

 “What happened was not an accident and it was not a case of a road crash. It happened during a gun battle between the soldiers and the gunmen.

“When the gun battle was going on, the soldiers’ two armoured vehicles mistakenly collided and one of the vehicles somersaulted. In the process, the victims crashed. No one could go near the scene while the gun battle was on.”

An eyewitness, who identified himself simply as Akachukwu, said five persons were involved in the collision and three died on the spot.

He said, “Travellers saw hell that day. I got to Ihiala Army checkpoint around 5pm from Owerri, where we started to hear gunshots. I got to my house in Ihiala by 15 minutes to 1am with the help of the military men who escorted motorists.

“During the gun battle, there was a total standstill; no vehicle was coming or going. Everybody ran helter-skelter. I hid in a corner and observed what was going on.

“More than 10 armoured vehicles were on the ground during the exchange of gunfire between the gunmen and the military. Ihiala was like a war zone within Ezego Junction.”