Personnel of the Nigerian Army’s 14 Brigade, Ohafia, are reportedly engaged in a fierce gun battle with unidentified gunmen in Mbata, Umuchima village, Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Abia State.

According to reports, over 15 Hilux vehicles and armored personnel carriers arrived in the village around 6 a.m., targeting the suspected gunmen believed to be camped near a river that serves as a boundary between Abia State and the Mbaise area of Imo State.

Soldiers have reportedly secured key junctions leading in and out of the village, while others continue to comb nearby bushes, engaging the gunmen. Gunfire was still ongoing as of the time of this report.

There have been no official statements yet from the Nigerian Army or the Abia State Government regarding the operation.

This development is speculated to be linked to Governor Alex Otti’s recent commitment to boosting security in the state after a strategic meeting with top security officials.