Two soldiers and four gunmen of the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra/ Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) died in a battle at Ihiala town in Anambra, the Nigeria Army has said.

Spokesperson for the army, Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Wednesday, disclosed that two other officers were also injured in the process.

“One gallant officer and a soldier paid the supreme price in the accident, while two sustained injuries. The injured are currently responding to treatment at a military hospital,” Mr Nwachukwu said.

Mr Nwachukwu said troops received a distress call that the gunmen were out enforcing the illegally imposed sit-at-home order and were firing sporadically in and around a filling station in Ihiala town.

He said a fire-fight ensued between the dissidents and the gallant troops leading to the killing of their leader, one Ejike, and three others.

According to Mr Nwachukwu, items recovered from the gunmen during the encounter include one motorcycle, two pump action double-barrel guns, 12 live cartridges, and substances suspected to be cannabis, amongst others.

He, however, noted that one of the combat vehicles conveying troops was involved in an accident during the operation following a technical fault.

The army spokesperson further urged the general public to continue to support the military and other security agencies through the provision of timely and accurate information.

(NAN)