The Nigerian Army on Monday said troops conducting Exercise Golden Dawn Sector 3 in Imo State thwarted an attempt by members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network, to unleash mayhem on residents of Mgbidi and Awo Mmamma communities in the Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State.

Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu stated this in a statement on Monday.

He said IPOB “targeted terrorising the people for lawfully refusing to observe the illegal sit-at-home order foisted on them on Monday 6 November 2021” but the “swift response of troops compelled the attackers, mounted on two Sienna Buses and a Toyota Hilux truck to abandon their mission and withdrew in disarray”.

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Nwachukwu said troops are currently on the trail of the criminals.

Also, the Army spokesman disclosed that troops also uncovered four Improvised Explosive Devices planted by IPOB/ESN members “in their desperate effort to inflict harm on unsuspecting motorists and other road users along Orlu-Owerri road.”

“The vigilant troops, who were on a reinforcement mission to Mgbidi/Awo Mmama detected the IEDs planted at about 15 meters apart on both sides of the road and safely defused them. No casualty was recorded during the defusion.

“The troops also recovered four wraps of unexploded ordnances, one motorcycle battery, two-vehicle alarm devices, one detonator, wires and batteries. The road has been safely cleared and motorists have resumed plying the road,” the statement read in part.

The Army urged law-abiding citizens to go about their normal businesses and disregard IPOB’s sit-at-home order.

“We also appeal to the good people of Mgbidi, Awo Mmama and Omuma communities to report any suspected movement of members of the irredentist group, who may be seeking a safe haven, to relevant security agencies,” the Army said.

IPOB is currently protesting the detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is with the Department of State Services and is facing terrorism-related charges before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.