Orlu and Orsu Local Government Areas of Imo State were thrown into panic on Thursday, 18th February, as the Nigerian military commence operations in search of where the personnel of Eastern Security Network linked with Indigenous People of Biafra are camped.
Affirming the operation, Babatunde Zubairu, the army spokesperson of the 34 artillery Brigade, Obinze, Owerri, Imo state, disclosed that the locals were not being harassed.
Zubairu confirmed the deployment of helicopters and other military gadgets in the operations, saying that the operation was an offshoot of military intelligence.
As per The Punch, the operation had caused serious panic in the areas.
The paper quoted an indigene of Uda Orsuihiteukwa in the Orlu Local Government Area as saying that though no indigene was shot by the military, the operation was causing serious panic in the area.
In his words, “Situation now calm in Udah, Orsuihiteukwa. Military helicopters have left my area a while ago after the surveillance mission. All security vans have left the Udah community for their respective bases.
“Civilians were not in any way harassed in the exercise. No casualties. The invasion may have been warranted by intelligence reports.
“The leaders and office bearers from Orlu zone should address this security instability in our zone now. This is not healthy for the progress and advancement of the biggest senatorial zone in Nigeria.”
It was learnt that there is heavy presence soldiers in Orlu, where the military and ESN officials clashed on January 25.
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