The Nigeria Naval Outpost, 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 duel with suspected members of the pro-Biafran group.
But the Commanding Officer, Adekunle Okeniyi, in a statement, made available to our correspondent in Awka, 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.”
