Nigerian Military has been accused of conducting aerial strikes in Orlu, a civilian populated area in Imo state, worsening the already built-up tension in the areas.
Eyewitnesses who shared videos on social media, alleged that the airstrikes started on Thursday noon, and are connected with dislodging members of proscribed group, IPOB’s Eastern Security Network.
It would be recalled that ESN operatives in January had a bloody clash with Nigerian Army from Obinze barracks, where four soldiers were reportedly killed.
A video of the aerial bombardments on Thursday surfaced with fresh tension and anxiety building in the communities.
Speaking with SaharaReporters, a community head stated;
Nigerian soldiers are currently conducting aerial strikes in our areas. Many innocent lives may be lost. They are probably looking for ESN operatives who are checking the activities of killer Fulani herdsmen.
Read Also: Army/ESN: Imo Gov, Hope Uzodinma Imposes Dusk-To-Dawn Curfew In Orlu, 9 Other LGAs
Another angry resident said;
People’s homes and market places may be affected. We don’t need aircraft in Orlu. They should go and find the stolen school pupils in Niger State.
Another person added;
I have the video. There was an aircraft firing shots possibly in a nearby bush. Very reckless of the airforce; civilians are all over the place.
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, on December 12, launched ESN, saying the regional security outfit, just like Amotekun in the South-West, would help to tackle crimes and criminalities.
Watch some of the videos below;
Why is the Nigerian army carrying out airstrikes in Orlu?
This nonesense should stop now!!pic.twitter.com/qPZEeGPkqU— PROF LATTE™ (@honilatte) February 18, 2021
There is currently air bombardments in Orlu Imo State by Nig soldiers. What’s going on in Nigeria na!! 💔💔💔pic.twitter.com/z2WNZQ3tXo
— davvyd moore (@davvydmoore) February 18, 2021
This igbo man is shouting “we no de fight war for Orlu ooooo”. But he is wrong. This is war. You are not fighting war but the Nigerian government and the people who have hijacked it are fighting war with you.
You cannot play politics with state sponsored terrorism. pic.twitter.com/daZkGcxvzd
— Mama Paul the Animator (@YarKafanchan) February 18, 2021
the military is busy attacking and killing civilians in a coordinated air and land operations in Orlu, Imo State👇.
— Mayowa olagunju ❁ (@iam_doctormayor) February 18, 2021
