Two soldiers attached to the Joint Task Force of Operation UDO KA were killed in an early morning attack on Wednesday, 13 November 2024 at a checkpoint.
The gunmen threatened Governor Alex Otti while attacking the checkpoint, according to a secretly recorded video of the scene.
The attackers said that they would not tolerate the checkpoint and vowed to dismantle it.
According to them, if the checkpoint was seen again, the Governor would be in danger.
The gunmen were stating, “This is November 13th, and we don’t want to see the nonsense (checkpoint) again.”
The Joint Task Force accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate the Eastern Security Network (ESN) of being responsible for the attack.
The troops were attacked at a checkpoint along Umuahia – Owerri Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State where they were deployed.
Following a superior firepower from the troops, the gunmen fled, leaving their vehicles.
“During the attack, the gallant troops were able to repel the attack forcing the irredentist to withdraw in disarray with gunshot wounds, abandoning one Sienna and one Lexus Jeep vehicles that were used for the attack.
“However, in the ensuing firefight two soldiers paid the supreme price”, a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu for the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA said.
