Heavy Gunshots In Orlu, As ESN And Security Operatives Clash (Video)

There is tension in Orlu local government area of Imo State as members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and the Nigerian army are engaging in heavy gun battle.

Reports have it that all markets have been deserted, including the International market, Old market, Afo Ogidi, and Ogboshishi markets.

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It was gathered that the Nigerian army lost two of its officers to the gun fight with ESN and have blocked the new Orlu Owerri road which is after Harvesters hotel.

An eyewitness revealed that a vandalized Hilux van belonging to the police has been abandoned by the road side in Ogboshishi market.

Another source who owns a shop in Orlu, while narrating the details of the event, said some civilians lost their lives in the gun battle.

“ESN guys were literally advancing towards soldiers even while under heavy gunfire and those guys didn't get fazed one bit as they rained back bullets on the soldiers. I was never a believer in Jazz but I'm beginning to believe Jazz must be real cause what I saw today was no joke.

“There's stampede everywhere in Orlu now and I was thankfully able to lock up my shop and book it to a safer place cause it was like a war zone today.

“Some soldiers I heard were killed and the Nigerian soldiers came in heavy truckloads and armored vehicles for revenge all dressed in combat fatigues like they were going to war.

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“So far two armored vehicles were burnt along with some police vans when the soldiers retreated. I saw a dead body – a civilian and more painfully a kid lying in his pool of blood in one of the shops while running.

“I heard about 4 soldiers, 2 policemen were killed and 3 or 4 civilians caught in the stray bullets were also unlucky,” the source said.

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