At least two criminal elements have been killed while others were injured following a gun battle with Nigerian troops of Operation UDO KA in Imo State.
A statement issued on Saturday by Lieutenant Colonel for Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA, said one kidnapper was gunned down at Umuaka in Njaba Local Government Area of the state.
He explained that the troops, while on routine patrol at Umuaka, along Orlu-Owerri road, were alerted of the kidnap incident and the escape route of the kidnappers.
“The troops swiftly pursued the kidnappers and made contact with them. In the firefight that ensued, the troops professionally neutralized one of the kidnappers and injured two others despite their attempts to use passers-by as a human shield.
“The troops recovered one AK 47 rifle with two loaded magazines and a motorcycle”, he said.
In a similar incident, troops in conjunction with personnel of Naval Base, Oguta also neutralised a suspected member of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB at Amagberedere village in Oguta LGA of Imo State.
“During the raid operation conducted to the suspected hideout of the dissidents, the irredentists opened fire on sighting the troops but the soldiers responded appropriately and in the process neutralised one of the terrorists and recovered one pump action shotgun and two cartridges”, the statement added.