Anambra clash: Three killed as Nigerian troops intercept armed men in fake uniforms

AWKA — Joint security forces in southeastern Nigeria have killed three suspected separatists during a gun battle in Anambra State, recovering military-grade weaponry and homemade explosives.

Troops from the military-led Joint Task Force, Operation Udo Ka, intercepted the armed men on Tuesday along the Ogboji–Ajali highway in the Orumba South local government area.

The military said the operation was launched following credible intelligence that gunmen disguised in stolen military camouflage and police uniforms were preparing to launch violent attacks in the area.

The suspects, identified by the army as operatives of the Eastern Security Network (ESN)—the armed wing of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) separatist group—were intercepted while travelling in a white multi-purpose vehicle.

Weapons cache seized

A fierce firefight broke out when the security team blocked the vehicle, resulting in the death of three gunmen, while others fled into the surrounding bush with gunshot wounds.

Following the shootout, troops searched the vehicle and the immediate area, recovering a cache of arms, including the following:

• A PKM general-purpose machine gun with dozens of rounds of ammunition.
• Two AK-47 assault rifles and various calibres of ammunition.
• Four improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
• Communication equipment, a laptop, and financial documents belonging to the network.

Securing the South-East

The Nigerian Army described the raid as a major success for its ongoing intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling armed separatist networks that have long threatened stability across the country’s south-east region.

A military spokesperson confirmed that a manhunt is currently underway in the general area to track down the fleeing suspects, some of whom are believed to be heavily wounded.

Authorities have reiterated their commitment to restoring peace to the region and urged local residents to remain vigilant and report any individuals seeking medical treatment for suspicious gunshot wounds to the security agencies.