The Nigerian Army has recovered the remains of two soldiers, reportedly murdered by members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Imo State.
In May 2022, Master Warrant Officer Linus Musa Audu and Private Gloria Mathew were abducted and murdered while en route to their traditional marriage.
A statement by the Army on Saturday, revealed that the discovery followed a clearance and search operation in the surrounding areas along the Ubaha Orsu axis of Orsu Local Government.
The Friday raid, the Army said, was not without challenges, because upon arriving at a suspected ESN hideout, its troops were attacked.
“Following the successful clearance of the camp, troops conducted a thorough search of the area and made a grim but important discovery of shallow graves suspected to contain the remains of the slain personnel.
“The graves were carefully excavated and suspected remains were recovered.
“The recovered remains have since been secured for detailed forensic analysis, including DNA testing, to conclusively establish their identities,” the statement read partly.
The Army said, there are ongoing efforts to liaise with the families to provide proper identification and facilitate befitting burial arrangements in honour of their sacrifice.
The development, the Army noted, not only underscores the continued war against the IPOB/ESN operations in the region, but it also exposes the group’s heinous atrocities and disregard for human life.
“The Nigerian Army reassures the general public that ongoing operations will continue until all criminal elements are neutralised and lasting peace is restored across the region,” the Army stated.
