In Anambra, Troops Invade, Dislodge Unknown Gunmen at Lilu Forest

By Izunna Okafor, Awka

It was a victorious outing for troops of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, as they invaded and dislodged a notorious stronghold and hideout of Unknown Gunmen in a joint operation carried out at Lilu Forest in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
 
It would be recalled that Lilu, which is a border town between Imo and Anambra States, had been a danger zone and operational base of the gunmen in recent time, which did not only inject fear in the minds of the residents, but also made some of them flee the area, and was even swiftly spreading to other neighbouring and bordering communities, including Ezinifite in Nnewi South Local Government Area.

It was consequent upon these and other heineos acts of the gunmen such as car snatching and bloodshedding, that troops of joint security operatives raided their hideout in a well-coordinated attack and dislodged them.

According to a statement released by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. General Onyeama Nwachuku, the operations, which were conducted in the early hours of Monday 17 January 2022, led to the neutralization of some of the gunmen in a firefight that ensued. 

''After dislodging the dissidents from their fortress, the dogged troops recovered 10 Pump Action Shotguns, two locally fabricated guns, one Revolver pistol, rounds of 7.62 mm special, live cartridges, machettes and IPOB flags. Other items recovered are mobile phones, laptops, among other dangerous weapons,” the statement read in part.

He added that the operation was jointly conducted by troops of 82 Division, Nigerian Navy, 211 Quick Response Group of the Nigerian Air Force, Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police. 

He further revealed that “it was a well-coordinated dawn attack on the fortress, where plans were being perfected to violently enforce the illegitimate sit-at-home declaration by the irredentist groups.”