According to a statement obtained from Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director Army Public Relations, reports that its forces killed law-abiding civilians in Amangu community in Abia State are false.
"The Nigerian Army (NA) has been alerted to reports circulating on social media and in mainstream media saying that troops from Headquarters 82 Division NA stormed the Amangu community in Abia state." Given the gravity of the claim, the Nigerian Army believes it is imperative to "clear the air on this awful incidence," according to the statement.
"On 2 November 2022, a soldier called Staff Sergeant Bassey Ikunugwan was abducted along Road Okwu-Ebem Ohafia in Abia State while on leave." As a result, on Thursday 3 November 2022, forces launched a Search and Rescue Operation in Amangu Village/Forest, having confirmed it as an Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) enclave, where the soldier was reportedly kept captive. Contact was made with members of the prohibited armed organisations during the search and rescue operations, culminating in an exchange of fire.
On 4 November 2022, forces positioned at Okon Aku in Abia State came into touch with members of the armed groups, during which troops neutralised one of the criminals and collected one AK 47 weapon with a magazine loaded with 7 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) and one mobile phone. Troops stormed another enclave of the groups around Amangu Village in Abia State in a follow-up operation on November 5, 2022.
During the operation, troops killed two of the intruders, while others fled with bullet wounds. Troops discovered two locally manufactured AK 47 rifles, four Pump Action weapons, one locally manufactured Pistol, one Sniper rifle, six magazines, 13 NATO 7.62mm bullets, and one motorcycle. Two CCTV cameras, one solar panel, flags, one walkie-talkie, two mobile phones, two pamphlets of the Biafran anthem, one INEC box, 12 face caps, machetes, pairs of combat boots, pairs of rain boots, camouflage uniforms, one transistor radio, two jungle hats, two knee guards, one power bank, one INEC image capturing machine, and a PVC were also recovered from the dissidents.
Unfortunately, one soldier sacrificed the ultimate sacrifice throughout these conflicts. "In its quest for the abducted soldier, the NA will leave no stone unturned." The NA ensures the public that all operations will be carried out within the confines of the law and in accordance with global best practises, Rules of Engagement, and Codes of Conduct that govern NA operations. "It should be apparent to all that criminal attacks against and abductions of service people are acts against the state that will not go unpunished." These criminal elements' use of propaganda will not dissuade the Army from carrying out its constitutional mission."
