The Naval Outpost in Onitsha, Anambra State said that six suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB were killed during a gunbattle at Awkuzu on Monday, August 9.
It, however, described as false alleged killing of two of its personnel during the gun battle.
Read Also: Eight Killed, Vehicles Burnt, As IPOB’s Sit-At-Home Order Turns Bloody In South-East
Some publications had reported two Naval personnel were killed at Awkuzu during a gun duel with suspected members of the pro-Biafran group.
The Commander Officer, Adekunle Okeniyi, in a statement, however, said six suspected IPOB members died while others suffered a serious injury during a repel attack by the troops.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Naval Outpost, Onitsha has been drawn to some false publications that on the 9th August 2001, two naval personnel were killed at Awkuzu during a gun duel with suspected Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Anambra state.
“The Naval Outpost Onitsha clearly refutes this fake news and wishes to state categorically that none of the own personnel suffered any casualties during the gun duel.
“Rather, the troops fought gallantly and were able to repel the attack which resulted in the loss of six suspected IPOB members while others suffered a serious injury.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Naval Outpost Onitsha calls for an immediate halt to the circulation of this fake news and wishes to advise the general public to disregard this fake news.”