Biafra agitators loyal to Simon Ekpa attacked an army checkpoint early on Wednesday at Ekenobizi, a border community between Abia and Imo states in Umuopara, Umuahia South Local Government Area, killing two soldiers.
Mr Ekpa, based in Finland, heads Autopilot, a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
IPOB is a separatist group agitating for the creation of an independent state of Biafra from southeast and some parts of south-south Nigeria.
The two regions are usually called “Biafra” or sometimes “Biafra land” by IPOB and other separatist groups in the area.
Mr Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen, often addresses himself as the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile (BRGIE).
A military source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the attack occurred around 6:18 am. The gunmen arrived in a white Lexus (350/400) model, although the exact number of attackers could not be confirmed.
Confirming the incident in a press release on Wednesday, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA said: “In the early hours of today, 13 November 2024, troops of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, deployed at a checkpoint along the Umuahia – Owerri Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, came under attack by the irredentist group Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network.
“During the attack, the gallant troops were able to repel the assault, forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray with gunshot wounds, abandoning one Sienna and one Lexus Jeep used in the attack. However, in the ensuing firefight, two soldiers paid the supreme price.”
The Joint Task Force appealed to residents of the South East, particularly those in Abia State, for credible information to help track down the fleeing attackers and combat criminal elements in the region.
The force reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property in line with global best practices and the rules of engagement.
Mr Ekpa claims responsibility
Reacting to the attack via his X account, Mr Ekpa mocked the Nigerian military.
He often referred to the Nigerian military as terrorists.
Ekpa posted the video of the attack and wrote, “Just look at where the terrorists @HQNigerianArmy have their kidnapping checkpoint terrorizing the entire neighborhood.“
In another video he shared on Wednesday, he warned that other checkpoints in the southeast that refused to be dismantled would be met with more attacks.
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“Your time is coming. If you tell these terrorists(military) yesterday that today, their kidnapping checkpoint will be gone, they will laugh at you, but from today they can never return to this location.“
To support the incident further, Mr Ekpa also reposted photos and videos of the attack, which were shared by his supporters on Wednesday.
