Residents Of Enugu Community On The Run As Soldiers Bomb ESN Camps

Residents of Akpawfu community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State are on the run following heavy bombardment of parts of the community.

It was learned that soldiers of the 82 Division deployed both air and land troops as they engaged members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) who are believed to have camps in forests in the community.

Markets and schools have been shut down and villagers are running helter-skelter to avoid being caught in the cross-fire.

Members of the community were seen in Enugu metropolis on Saturday morning speaking with their relatives who are trapped in the community over the phone.

A source in the village said the raid has been on since Thursday and continued till Saturday morning. 

He said military helicopters were seen dropping explosives in forests within Ajeme Akpawfu village where the hoodlums terrorising parts of Nkanu land and Enugu town are believed to be hiding.

It was also revealed that the hoodlums also engaged the troops in a shoot-out within the forests.

A resident who claimed to have fled the community Saturday evening with members of his family said that he had to relocate temporarily to Enugu for the safety of his family following heavy shootings.

“As I am speaking with you, people of neighbouring communities of Oruku and Akpugo said they are hearing deafening sounds of explosives and sporadic gunshots and so many people have relocated to these communities for fear of being cut down in the operation.

"In fact, Akpawfu is not safe right now.

“The entire Ajeme Akawfu community has been under fire since Thursday and everybody has been running helter-skelter for safety. 

"Truly speaking, there are many hoodlums claiming to be IPOB members and we have been living in fear. 

"They kidnap, rape and hold people hostage for ransom in the tick forests and they are also responsible for some of the armed attacks on innocent people around Nkanu land,” said the fleeing resident who pleaded anonymity.

The traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Nnamani confirmed the military operation in the area saying though he was out of the community at present, several persons had called to inform him of the development.

He said that members of his family including his wife and children left the community on Friday to a safe place, adding that many other residents must have also fled their homes.

The royal father who spoke on phone expressed the hope that peace would be restored to the community after the ongoing security operation.

The spokesman of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army could not be reached for comments by press time on Saturday.