By CHARLES CHIJIOKE
The Nigerian Army has confirmed that several houses were destroyed during a military operation in Imezi Owa, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, but insisted the inferno was caused by exploding improvised explosive devices allegedly stored by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The admission followed outrage from residents who accused soldiers attached to the 82 Division of deliberately razing homes during a raid on the community earlier this week.
In a statement issued Friday night, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, said troops of Sector 1, Operation UDO KA, alongside other security agencies, carried out an intelligence-driven operation in the area on May 6 while tracking suspected “terrorist collaborators.”
According to the Army, troops advancing into the community were attacked by gunmen operating from a building allegedly used as an IPOB/ESN hideout.
The military said three soldiers sustained injuries during the gun battle but claimed troops “maintained operational dominance” and repelled the attackers.
“During the exchange of fire, Improvised Explosive Devices stored by the terrorists in the building used as their hideout detonated and triggered a fire outbreak that destroyed the hideout,” the statement said.
The Army further claimed that troops recovered additional IEDs, improvised grenades and a shrine allegedly used for ritual activities during follow-up searches in the area.
According to the statement, the shrine was subsequently destroyed to stop its alleged use for criminal purposes, while one suspected collaborator was arrested and handed over to the police alongside recovered items for further investigation.
The military also warned IPOB and ESN supporters to abandon what it described as illegal activities or face “the full consequences of their actions.”
“Security forces remain resolute in their determination to build peace in the region and will continue to dismantle criminal networks and deny terrorists any freedom of action,” the statement added.
However, the Army’s account sharply contradicts claims by residents, who alleged that soldiers intentionally set houses ablaze during the operation.
Residents of Akwuke-Umudim community had earlier accused troops of invading the area and torching residential compounds without explanation.
Videos circulating online showed buildings engulfed in flames as terrified residents lamented the destruction of homes and property. Community members claimed that at least 10 houses across seven compounds were destroyed in the incident.
Some residents also alleged that an elderly sick woman was trapped inside one of the burning buildings during the chaos.
A resident, Oliver Ezeani, told journalists that the community was still assessing the extent of the destruction.
“We are still assessing the damages and we have informed the state Commissioner of Police about the development,” he said.
“As of last night, about 10 houses in seven compounds had been completely burnt down by the soldiers. Initially, we thought it was Fulani attackers, but residents who witnessed the incident said it was carried out by the Nigerian military.”
“Till now, we still do not know the reason for the invasion and burning of the community,” he added.
The latest development is likely to deepen tensions in Nigeria’s South-East, where security operations linked to separatist violence have repeatedly triggered accusations of human rights abuses, arbitrary arrests and destruction of civilian property.
Human rights groups have consistently raised concerns over alleged excessive force by security agencies in the region, while IPOB has repeatedly denied involvement in violent attacks despite continued accusations from the Nigerian government and security forces.
