What would have resulted in huge loss of lives and properties was averted in Imo state southeast Nigeria, as men of the Nigeria Army ignored the provocation steered at them by youths rallying under the umbrella of indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB.

The irate youths were seen rallying in their numbers with the claim that they were mourning the death of one of them whom they just buried.

However, the story nearly took an ugly turn when they arrive at an Army checkpoint at Awa junction, Nworubi in Mbaitoli local government area of Imo state.

An effort by the soldiers to call them to order proved abortive as the secessionists remain overwhelmingly adamant, rather than engaging them with force the soldiers were patient and professional enough to let them be thereby averting what would have resulted in a serious clash.

Reacting to the incident when Galaxy News reached him on the phone, the Amy PRO  LT Babatunde Zubairu of 34 artillery brigade, Obinze under the leadership of the Brig. Gen. Yusuf Tukura said, contrary to what is circulating the social media the soldiers never clash with the proscribe IPOB group despite all provocations.

He, however, reiterated the commitment of the Army in partnering with other sister agencies in the state to ensure peace even as they carry on their statutory role defending the country from internal and external aggression.