On Monday, the Exercise Golden Dawn of the Nigerian Army says it foiled an attempt by alleged members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to kidnap medical personnel in Imo.

This was disclosed in a statement by the army’s spokesman Onyema Nwachukwu in Owerri on Tuesday.

According to the release, the hoodlums attempted to kidnap a group of medical doctors and nurses known as ‘Doctors On The Move Africa’.

The medical workers were providing free medical care to residents of the Amucha community in the Njaba local government area of Imo.

“The troops in conjunction with the Nigerian Air Force, 211 Quick Response Group and the Nigeria Police on receipt of actionable intelligence on the criminal plot swiftly moved in and rescued the medical team,” the army statement explained. “The troops afterwards went after the hoodlums and made contact with them at Amauju, Isu LGA of Imo where they were found enforcing the illegal sit at home order.”

It said one of the suspected IPOB members was killed, while the others “took to their heels.”

“One of the criminals who had escaped with gunshot wounds was later apprehended by the local vigilante and handed over to the police,” added the army.

According to the statement, the troops recovered one pump-action shotgun, five live cartridges, one Lexus 300 XR SUV, and a mobile phone.

(NAN)