The Nigerian Army has confirmed that two of its soldiers were killed in an ambush by fighters suspected to be members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the southeastern state of Imo. One additional soldier is reported missing, and several military weapons were stolen during the attack.
According to military sources, the ambush took place in a remote location within Imo, where ESN fighters launched a coordinated attack on the troops. The assailants, heavily armed, overpowered the soldiers before retreating into the thick bush with their stolen weapons.
The identities of the fallen soldiers are being withheld pending notification of their families. The missing soldier is believed to be in critical condition, and efforts to locate him are currently underway.
The Nigerian Army has condemned this brutal attack and vowed to intensify operations aimed at neutralizing the threat posed by ESN and other criminal elements in the region. In a statement, the Army expressed its condolences to the families of the slain soldiers and reassured the public of its commitment to ensuring peace and security across the nation.
"We will not rest until those responsible for this heinous act are brought to justice," the Army's spokesperson declared. "This attack will not deter us in our mission to restore peace and order in the southeastern region."