The Nigerian Army have deployed more soldiers to Adani community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State following the killing of two soldiers on Tuesday by unidentified gunmen.
The assailants were said to have attacked the Army check point at Iggah/Asaba along Nsukka – Adani – Anambra Federal Road at about 4:30 am.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General, Onyema Nwachukwu in a statement said soldiers repelled the invading criminals and were already trailing them.
Nwachukwu accused the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and their militant wing, Eastern Security Network, ECN, of being behind the dastardly attack.
In the statement titled: ‘Troops repel ESN attack on their location at Adani’, Nwachukwu, said “Nigerian Army troops deployed to checkmate the activities of gunmen at Adani community of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, yesterday 13 July 2021, repelled Eastern Security Network (ESN) gun attack on troops’ location at Iggah/Asaba checkpoint.
“Sadly, during the fire fight that ensued, two soldiers paid the supreme price. Troops are currently on the trail of the criminals.
“We assure the general public of our commitment to provide adequate security in the general area in collaboration with other security agencies. We also urge members of the public to complement the effort of the security agencies by remaining law abiding and provide useful information on the fleeing gunmen.”
Meanwhile, sources in the community said that the gun battle between the soldiers and the hoodlums equally left no fewer than six hoodlums dead
Though, Nwachuku did not give information about the casualty figure on the side of the unknown gunmen, the source said, “I can tell you that security forces neutralised about six hoodlums. That’s why they can categorically tell you that the attackers were ESN members”.
The General Officer Commanding, GOC, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja
has visited the area and mobilized more soldiers to beef up security.
Bodies of the dead soldiers have also been buried at the 82 Division burial ground.
