Soldiers of the Nigerian Army have reportedly sacked Akpawfu Community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.

UGAMATV gathered that they invaded the community on the night of Christmas Eve, December 24, 2021, while residents were still observing nativity church services and arrested over 50 youths.

Community sources told our correspondent on Sunday that so many youths had been missing since the previous military invasions in June and early July.

Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the army operation in the LGA led to the arrest of one Godwin Nnamdi, “a notorious leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network.”

Nwachukwu said the raid was part of the Exercise GOLDEN DAWN of the Nigerian Army in the South-East.

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The statement partly read, “Troops of 82 Division Nigerian Army in conjunction with other security agencies while conducting Exercise GOLDEN DAWN arrested one Godwin Nnamdi, a notorious leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network in Nkanu East Local Government Area.

“The IPOB leader was arrested during joint clearance operations at a camp suspected to be the fortress of IPOB/ESN elements located at Akpawfu Forest in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, on Saturday, December 25, 2021.

During the clearance operation, troops engaged the dissidents in a firefight compelling them to take to their heels, leading to the arrest of their leader.

Troops recovered various items including one AK-47, one magazine containing 21 rounds of 7.62mm Special, one handset amongst others.

“The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, while commending the troops for the successes recorded thus far, charged them to comb and clear all suspected hideouts of criminal elements in their Area of Responsibility.”

Meanwhile, so many youths have reportedly been killed which Nwachukwu neither confirm nor denied.

As of the time of filing this report, members of the Akpawfu community are taking refuge at Amagunze and other neighbouring communities.