Onyema Nwachukwu, Army spokesman, said this on Monday, November 1, while briefing journalists on the ongoing military operation in the south-east.

According to him, Chukwunonso Iherue, leader of a gang allegedly behind the attacks on police stations in Imo state, was behind the recent violence in Izombe community of the state.

He said Iherue was one of the convicts who escaped when gunmen attacked Imo prison in April.

In May and August, police stations in Orsu and Oguta LGAs were attacked by gunmen who also killed officers on duty.

Nwachukwu said Iherue and his gang members were seen parading the community, flying the Biafra insignia on October 1, while threatening and instilling fear in the people

He said when the army attempted to arrest him, he escaped with the help of some persons “until he was later neutralised when he engaged the troops with fire from his pistol in a frantic attempt to escape. The group opened fire on troops, killing two soldiers in the process. “Inan effort to avoid civilian casualty and collateral damage in the community, troops tactically withdrew from the area. Unfortunately, the suspected IPOB members ran amok, setting ablaze houses and other property belonging to those perceived to be against them.  A reinforcement team was deployed to Izombe and the security situation was immediately stabilised, while peace has since returned to the community.It was, however, observed on arrival at the community that the criminal gang also burnt troops’ van in addition to other public and private property.”

They were received by Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 OPHK, Brigadier General Abdulwahab Adelokun Eyitayo at Headquarters 21 Special Armoured Brigade Bama on Saturday, 7 August, 2021.

General Eyitayo who spoke through an interpreter, further disclosed that the terrorists who surrendered will undergo some rehabilitation process at a Government facility before reintegration into the larger society.

In photos shared by the army spokesperson, the insurgents who surrendered were seen holding up placards which read, “Nigerians, please forgive us”.

The statement read; “Following the recent escalation of offensive operations coupled with non kinetic efforts by troops of operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) which yielded massive surrendering of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province Terrorists in the North East, the Chief Bomb Expert of the terrorists group known as Musa Adamu a.k.a Mala Musa Abuja and his second in command Usman Adamu a.k.a Abu Darda along with their families and followers have also finally surrendered to the troops of operation HADIN KAI in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State. The acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 OPHK Brigadier General Abdulwahab Adelokun Eyitayo was at Headquarters 21 Special Armoured Brigade Bama on Saturday, 7 August, 2021 to receive the set of the surrendered Boko Haram terrorists and their families. During the visit, the GOC said their decision to drop their arms and come out is highly commendable, adding that they should also try and talk to their brothers and colleagues in the forest to come out and embrace the new life of peace and rehabilitation. General Eyitayo who spoke through an interpreter further disclosed that they will undergo some rehabilitation process at a Government facility before reintegration into the larger society. While distributing new cloths and assorted food items, groceries and toiletries to the surrendered terrorists and their families totalling 335 fighters, 746 adult women and children including one of the abducted Chibok girls, it was observed that the reasons for such massive turn was basically due to the intensified Nigerian military campaign on their enclaves and environs and also with the overwhelming famine, discontent, internal skirmishes, health challenges as well as untold hardship. The Nigerian military has resolved to intensify its both kinetic and non-kinentic approach towards the ongoing fight against insurgency in order to leverage on the knowledge of Musa Adamu and Usman Adamu and also with the current wave of turnout by terrorists to enable her achieve both short and long term counter-insurgency gains in the North East.”