The Nigerian Army on Thursday deployed soldiers, helicopters and other military gadgets in Orlu and Orsu Local Government Areas of Imo State in search of members of Easter Security Network.
ESN is a local security outfit recently set up by the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra to allegedly secure the people of South-East from killer herdsmen and other criminals.
Babatunde Zubairu, the spokesperson of the 34 artillery Brigade, Obinze, Owerri, Imo State, confirmed the operation.
Reports on social media had claimed that civilians were being harassed by the soldiers and that the people of the area were in serious tension.
But Zubairu debunked the claim, saying that the locals were not being harassed, adding that the operation was an offshoot of military intelligence.
The development is coming after ESN and military officials clashed in the local government on January 25.