IPOB Killed 128 Military, Police Personnel — Army

*Says over 100 civilians also killed

The Nigerian Army yesterday disclosed that the Eastern Security
Network (ESN) set up by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra
(IPOB) has killed 128 military and police personnel, as well as 15
civil defence officers, and 31 community policing members in the
South-east.

The army also disclosed that the group has also killed over 100
civilians who refused to support its activities.

The Brigade Commander of 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Owerri,
Imo State, Brig. Gen. Raymond Utsaha, made these revelations in
Owerri, Imo State capital, at joint press conference he organised
with the state Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro.

According to him, the hoodlums masquerading as ‘Unknown Gunmen’
have killed no fewer than 150 security operatives and civilians in
the South-east zone.

At a joint media interactive session organised by him and the
state Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro, in Owerri, the army chief
said no “responsible government” would allow such “criminal
elements” to continue to have their way.

Utsaha disclosed that the gunmen had killed 78 police officers,
38 army officers, five Naval officers, seven Air Force officers, 15
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence officers, 31 community policing
members and over 100 innocent citizens in the five states of the
South-East region since the unrest.

He promised that the government was committed to ending the
activities of the hoodlums in the region.

“Within these few months, they have killed 78 police officers,
38 army officers, five naval officers, seven air force officers, 15
civil defence officers, 31 community policing members.

“Over 100 innocent citizens and civilians who decided not
support the IPOB/ESN or refused to pay them money were also killed
and properties worth billions of naira destroyed.

“With this staggering number of casualties, no serious
government will stand by and watch the life of security personnel
and its citizens to be destroyed. Survey reports show that 80 per
cent of the security personnel killed are from the eastern part of
the country.”

*Says over 100 civilians also killed

The Nigerian Army yesterday disclosed that the Eastern Security
Network (ESN) set up by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra
(IPOB) has killed 128 military and police personnel, as well as 15
civil defence officers, and 31 community policing members in the
South-east.

The army also disclosed that the group has also killed over 100
civilians who refused to support its activities.

The Brigade Commander of 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Owerri,
Imo State, Brig. Gen. Raymond Utsaha, made these revelations in
Owerri, Imo State capital, at joint press conference he organised
with the state Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro.

According to him, the hoodlums masquerading as ‘Unknown Gunmen’
have killed no fewer than 150 security operatives and civilians in
the South-east zone.

At a joint media interactive session organised by him and the
state Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro, in Owerri, the army chief
said no “responsible government” would allow such “criminal
elements” to continue to have their way.

Utsaha disclosed that the gunmen had killed 78 police officers,
38 army officers, five Naval officers, seven Air Force officers, 15
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence officers, 31 community policing
members and over 100 innocent citizens in the five states of the
South-East region since the unrest.

He promised that the government was committed to ending the
activities of the hoodlums in the region.

“Within these few months, they have killed 78 police officers,
38 army officers, five naval officers, seven air force officers, 15
civil defence officers, 31 community policing members.

“Over 100 innocent citizens and civilians who decided not
support the IPOB/ESN or refused to pay them money were also killed
and properties worth billions of naira destroyed.

“With this staggering number of casualties, no serious
government will stand by and watch the life of security personnel
and its citizens to be destroyed. Survey reports show that 80 per
cent of the security personnel killed are from the eastern part of
the country.”