Fresh facts have emerged on how a Major of the Nigerian Army, CC Orji, a Camp Commandant, was killed in Imo State.
The Camp Commandant was killed August 22, 2022 at the Forward Operating Base, which Orji oversaw in Imo State.
It came moments after a visit by Lieutenant Colonel A. Agbolade, the Garrison Commander.
A source told our reporter that Orji, who was with the Joint Task Force, died after stepping on a landmine believed to have been planted by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
It was further gathered that after Agbolade addressed the troops, he requested to be taken on a familiarisation tour of all the flash points in Orsu Local Government Area.
The source narrated: “The Camp Commandant, Major CC Orji, willingly agreed and ordered all the standby teams of the agencies to get moving.
“They headed to Ekeotutu Market at boundaries between Imo and Anambra States.
“At Ekeotutu Market square, where an Improvised Explosive Device recently exploded, there was a fresh roadblock mounted by hoodlums suspected to be IPOB members.
“The military bomb disposal personnel swung into action and discovered more freshly buried mines, dynamite and related improvised devices.
“At this point, everyone was walking since the road was loaded with IEDs.
“Meanwhile, the IPOB members were exchanging gunfire with the troops.
“However, they were chased out of their camps, but while the senior men were about to advance, there was an old zinc top with a wooden plank, which Major CC Orji attempted to remove, to clear it from the road.
“A planted dynamite exploded and the fragile affected his head.
“He was down unconscious, bleeding and was immediately evacuated to an undisclosed hospital in Owerri Town for medical care.
“At about 7pm, he died.
“Two Army personnel sustained bullet wounds on their chests and are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.
“A Hilux vehicle was also affected by the exploded fragments, cracking the windscreen and the passengers’ door glasses.”