“The attention of the 82 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to the falsehood being propagated by certain online media, claiming that an attack on troops stationed at the Ehime Mbano Local Government Secretariat resulted in multiple fatalities among soldiers and civilians,” the statement read.
“These claims are nothing more than a fiction created by terrorist elements associated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and their sympathizers, aiming to undermine the confidence of the people of Imo State and the South-East.”
Unuakhalu recalled a previous incident on October 3, 2023, when the headquarters of the Isiala Mbano LGA was set ablaze by the same IPOB/ESN criminal elements, asserting that there were no casualties among troops or civilians at that time.
He noted that on the night of October 8, there was a similar attack attempt at the Ehime Mbano LGA Secretariat. However, due to the vigilance and bravery of the troops, the attackers were unable to breach the security of the council premises.
“The assailants, who arrived in large numbers and fired shots from a distance, were forced to retreat due to the overwhelming firepower of our gallant troops,” Unuakhalu stated.
“Following an operation conducted early today, it was confirmed that the dissidents sustained heavy casualties, evidenced by bloodstains along the Ehime Mbano-Oriagwu Road.”
The Army urged the public to disregard the misleading information spread by online outlets, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding citizens and critical government infrastructure by taking decisive action against criminals intent on destabilizing the state.
Unuakhalu condemned the actions of the dissidents, characterizing their attacks on public property funded by taxpayers as “cowardly” and detrimental to the community.
He called on the people of Imo State and the South-East region to continue providing security information to assist law enforcement agencies in combating these criminal elements. Residents were encouraged to contact the division using the toll-free line *193 and select Option 2 for valuable security tips.
“The good citizens of the South-East are encouraged to engage in their normal socio-economic activities without fear or intimidation from any group,” he added.