Two soldiers were killed on Wednesday, November 13, when unknown gunmen attacked an army checkpoint in Ekenobizi, a border community between Abia and Imo states, located in Umuopara, Umuahia South Local Government Area. The Joint Task Force South East, Operation Udoka, confirmed the attack in a statement, blaming the Eastern Security Network (ESN) of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for the assault.
According to the statement, the attack occurred in the early hours of the day when troops stationed at the checkpoint along the Umuahia-Owerri Road came under fire from the suspected ESN militants. While the soldiers were able to repel the attack and force the attackers to retreat, they left behind two vehicles — a Sienna and a Lexus Jeep — which were used in the assault. Despite the successful defense, two soldiers tragically lost their lives in the firefight.
The Joint Task Force expressed its condolences and called on the public, particularly residents of Abia State, to provide any relevant information that could assist in apprehending the fleeing attackers. The statement stressed the importance of community cooperation in ensuring the safety and security of the region, as well as the need to end the growing violence.
In closing, Operation Udoka reiterated its commitment to fulfilling its constitutional duty to protect lives and property in the Southeast, while continuing to adhere to the rules of engagement in all operations.
