Gunmen launched an attack on an army checkpoint early Wednesday morning in Ekenobizi, a border area between Abia and Imo states in Umuopara, Umuahia South Local Government Area, resulting in the deaths of two soldiers.
The attackers reportedly arrived around 6:18 a.m. in a white Lexus vehicle, though the number of assailants remains unconfirmed.
In a press statement, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA confirmed the incident, stating, “In the early hours of today, 13 November 2024, troops deployed along the Umuahia-Owerri Road in Abia State were attacked by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network.”
He added, “Our troops courageously repelled the assault, causing the attackers to retreat with injuries and abandon a Sienna and a Lexus Jeep used in the attack. Unfortunately, in the course of the firefight, two soldiers lost their lives.”
The Joint Task Force urged the public, especially residents of Abia State, to provide credible information to help track the attackers.
The force reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the region, emphasizing adherence to international standards and rules of engagement in all operations.
“We call on community members to cooperate with security forces in combatting criminal elements to ensure peace in the region,” Unuakhalu said.
