EXCLUSIVE: ‘They burst my four tyres, I sustained bullet wound on my head,’ Army Major who ran into IPOB ambush in Imo speaks

Suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) on Friday, January 31 laid ambush to an Army Major traveling via the Umulolo road in Imo state to his unit in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.

According to the Major (name withheld), the attackers numbering over seven and heavily armed stopped his vehicle and started a conversation in Igbo which he did not understand.

“I left my base in Ibadan on Friday, January 31 heading to my unit in Uyo. It was a smooth journey till I got to Imo, Umulolo road precisely. I wouldn’t have had any reason to follow that route but for rehabilitation works going on in other major routes. When I got to Umulolo, the armed men came out from nowhere, rolled a big wood on the road and flashed down my vehicle. They were about seven in number. I was travelling on mufti and had also hidden anything that can give me away as a military personnel. They tried initiating a conversation in Igbo language and I gently told them I don’t speak nor understand the language. I don’t know if that infuriated them but I knew I was in danger and needed to put up a bold move so I zoomed off climbing the wood they had used to block the road,” the Major explained in an exclusive interview with NewsClick Nigeria.

He noted further that the enraged gunmen started shooting sporadically at his vehicle and in the process some bullets penetrated his head and also burst his four tyres.

“They started shooting non-stop at my vehicle. I also brought out my short gun at a time to scare them off my back. They shot at my four tyres rendering them useless but I continued the journey with the rims. It was when I’ve escaped their sight that I saw blood gushing out from my head. I quickly tied my cloth around the blood source to reduce the intensity,” he said.

The Major said that he hadn’t move too far from the ambush sight when he encountered another armed person on bike trying to stop and attack him.

“After driving some few metres from Umulolo, I encountered another armed person on bike trying to stop and attack me. However, I didn’t give the space for attack as I swiftly brought out my gun and he fled to safety abandoning his motor bike.”

The Major also explained that the suspected IPOB insurgents have taken over the area and their operation is almost turning to normal as people went about their normal business while he was attacked.

“One funny thing about the whole experience was that people were going about their normal business and don’t even care to offer a hand of assistance or call for help on my behalf. I saw people going to or returning from farm and other places. And they all minded their business while I was being pursued and shot at  . These insurgents have taken so much control of the area and inflicted fear in the people”

Still driving on bare rims for over 10 kilometres, the Major later approached troops stationed at Umulolo/Okigwe junction who came to his rescue. According to him, the troops applied first head to his wounds and later rushed him to the hospital for proper treatment.

“After driving for about 10 kilometres, I finally got to Umulolo/Okigwe junction were some troops were stationed. They quickly attended to my wounds and subsequently moved me to the hospital for quality treatment.”

According to him, over three live bullets were extracted from his head. Luckily for him, none penetrated to his skull.

“At the hospital, they extracted about live bullets from my head. Two grazed my head while the third was the one that injured me.”

The Major informed NewsClick Nigeria that he has since returned to base and the Army had been duly informed of the development and also footed his medical bills.

“The Army has been informed of the development. I have been fully treated and back to duty in my base.”

Asked what more can be done to totally decimate the marauding elements causing havocs in some parts of the country, he responded: “The fact is that government is trying doing everything necessary to support the Army and sister agencies in fight against insecurity. It will be unfair to point accusing fingers at government each time these criminals strike. However, officers need to imbibe or reawaken their resolve to face these criminals head long. It is now more on the part of officers than the government,” he said.