By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Thursday confirmed that over 100 suspects are facing interrogation following the killing of five soldiers by the Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) at a military checkpoint in Abia State.
Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba disclosed this during a routine defence correspondents briefing on ongoing military operations across the country.
The Director said troops also released those not culpable in the attack following preliminary investigations.
Maj.-Gen. Buba revealed that nine soldiers were killed in June alone by non-state actors across the country.
The military high command in a statement confirmed death of five soldiers and six civilians in the attack and vowed to fiercely retaliate.
General Buba briefing journalists two weeks after the attack, said troops conducted several intelligence-based operations that led to the discovery and destruction of several IPOB/ESN terrorists camps across the region such as at Igboro Forest in Arochukwu LGA of Abia State among others.
He said, “several arrests were made from the raids with those found to be culpable still in detention. Surely, there is intelligence value to the raids and arrest that were made. Those in detention are assisting troops to locate other camps, sleeper cells and high profile individuals involved in the activities of the terrorists group.”