The raids were carried out by troops of 34 Field Artillery Brigade involved in field training exercise of Operation Crocodile Smile on Thursday, September 8.
Daily Post reports that the troops raided camps belonging to the cult groups, two of which are located in Umoubi and Umudike forests, both in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of Imo state.
A statement by the army spokesman, Sani Usman, said during the raid one Chigozie aka “Chi boy”, a notorious kingpin of one of the cult groups lost his life.
The statement further revealed that another member was later discovered dead in the forest while many others were believed to have escaped with gun shot wounds.
The troops recovered a number of military uniforms, mobile phones and other household items before destroying the camps to prevent the cultists from regrouping in the area.
They have continued to comb the general area for other members of the kidnapping syndicate.
Meanwhile, the Joint Military Task Force (JMTF) has reportedly killed 5 members of the militant Red Scorpion operating in the oil bearing communities of the Awarra/Assa in Ohaji/ Egbema council area of Imo state.
Daily Sun reports that the militants were shot dead yesterday, September 6 by the JMTF which stormed the affected areas at the weekend.
The task force sneaked into the restive communities in a tipper, took the militants by surprise, killed five militants on the spot while others reportedly escaped with bullet injuries.
One of the leaders of the militant group identified as Banga who escaped, had his house razed allegedly by the security operatives.
The invasion may not be unconnected with the presidential directive to the military high command to flush out all militant groups in Niger Delta.
In recent times, the communities of Awara and Assa had been under the siege of both militants and cult groups, forcing people out of their homes.
Confirming the presence of security operatives in the communities,the state police command public relations officer, DSP Andrew Enwerem, said the force have always been sending security team to the communities to quell crisis.
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