Update: tension in Imo as army conducts airstrikes to dislodge agents from Eastern security network

By Chinonso Alozie, Owerri

Hundreds of military agents yesterday launched heavy attacks on Eastern Security Network, ESN, camps in parts of Umunna Forest in Orlu and in Orsu local government areas in Orsu State. Imo.

Vanguard’s investigation into the clashes learned that the military launched the attacks upon learning that members of the eastern security network, ESN, had set up a base in the forest from which they would carry out their operations.

An insider source who would not want his name mentioned explained how the operation began: “The soldiers first visited the ESN camp in Umunna, in the Orlu local government area. and before we got there, our men got the information and moved out. Not only did they visit another camp as well, they didn’t see anyone. The soldiers therefore destroyed the ESN camps. No one was killed in this operation. But our people live in fear.

Residents of affected areas told Vanguard the military started with a show of force.

Another villager who introduced himself as Chief Thomas Ndudi gave his own side of the story: “On Tuesday we saw more than 30 trucks of military vehicles moving in their convoy entering and exiting Orlu at the search for members of the eastern security network, they continue to search for them throughout Wednesday and Thursday, they have discovered their camps and they have started to destroy them.

“On the first day, they even used a helicopter to fly over the forest to locate the Eastern Security Network camps.

“The truth is that the villages near the forest live in fear because the sound of guns even made them run inside their homes and some of them abandoned their homes for fear of being hit by a stray bullet.

Vanguard News Nigeria

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