By Olayemi Esan
The Nigeria Naval Outpost
in Onitsha, Anambra State, has debunked the rumour that two of its
personnel were killed during a gun duel with suspected members of the
proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the state.
Some
publications had reported that two naval personnel were killed at Awkuzu
during a gun battle with suspected members of the pro-Biafran group.
A
statement by Commanding Officer, Adekunle Okeniyi on Tuesday, however,
said that contrary to the report, six suspected IPOB members died while
others suffered serious degrees of injury during a repel attack by the
troops.
The statement reads in part: “The attention of the Naval
Outpost, Onitsha has been drawn to some false publications that on the
9th August 2001, two naval personnel were killed at Awkuzu during a gun
duel with suspected Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Anambra State.
“The
Naval Outpost Onitsha clearly refutes this fake news and wishes to
state categorically that none of its own personnel suffered any casualty
during the gun duel.
“Rather, the troops fought gallantly and were
able to repel the attack which resulted in the loss of six suspected
IPOB members while others suffered serious degrees of injury.
“For
the avoidance of doubt, the Naval Outpost Onitsha calls for an immediate
halt to the circulation of this fake news and wishes to advise the
general public to disregard this fake news.”
