Troops of the Nigerian Army deployed for operations in Ebonyi State have thwarted an attack by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra on Isheke Police Station.

The IPOB fighters were said to have invaded the station and torched the facility, as well as several vehicles on the premises.

In a statement posted on Thursday on X.com, the service said its troops, on arrival at the scene, engaged the IPOB fighters in a gun duel.

The Army added that the fighters were overpowered, and five of them were killed while others fled the scene.

“Troops of the Nigerian Army, in a swift and decisive response, have repelled an attack on  Isheke Police Station, which came under attack by suspected IPOB terrorists resulting in the torching of the facility and several vehicles.

“Troops, on arrival at the scene, launched a counter-attack on the terrorists overpowering and compelling them to flee in disarray.

“Accordingly, troops engaged the terrorists in a hot pursuit, leading to an intense gun battle, which resulted in the elimination of five suspected terrorists and seizure of several weapons,” the post read.

It listed the weapons recovered to include one PKT machine gun with a link belt containing 94 rounds of ammunition, two AK-47 rifles with three magazines, containing 11 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and one submachine gun with a magazine.

Also recovered was a Sienna SUV with registration number Ebonyi CHR-364JC.

“The Nigerian Army will continue to operate in synergy with sister services and other security agencies to combat the terrorists’ activities by IPOB and its armed affiliate, the ESN. We urge all law-abiding citizens to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement or activity to the security agencies,” the post added.