Government forces kill seven ESN fighters as they raid their camp in Rivers State

SOLDIERS from the Sixth Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies have reportedly killed seven Eastern Security Network (ESN) fighters during a gun battle in Agbochia Forest in Rivers State.

Created by secessionist group the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob), the ESN is an armed group created to confront Fulani herdsmen operating in the southeast and south-south geo-political zones. Of late, it has been engaged in skirmishes with the security forces and yesterday, government troops raided its camp in Agbochia Forest on the boundary between Eleme and Oyigbo Local Government Areas of Rivers State.

After the gun battle, the troops, led by Brigadier MD Danja also arrested five ESN militants. Other forces that participated in the raid include the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Security Service and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

One intelligence source said: “The camp was destroyed in-situ. The suspects and corpses have been handed over to Rivers State commissioner of police for further investigation."

Apparently the government troops did not record any casualty during the clash. Items recovered include AK 47 rifles, G3 rifles, locally made machine gun, G3 magazine, rounds of ammunition and Baofeng handheld radios with chargers.