Many houses were set on fire by Nigerian forces in Izombe community in the local government area of Oguta, Imo state.
There are fears that many civilians are killed in the Wednesday’s raid where government forces sporadically fired in the community.
Residents who fled to the bushes during the military raid told OAK METRO that at least two people have been confirmed dead and more than 15 civilians are missing.
“They arrived and started shooting and burning houses, claiming that our community supported Biafra and ESN. But we don’t have a camp and members of the Eastern Security Network here in our community,” said Nnanta, a native of the community.
The military raid on the community is the latest after a raid in the area left scores of homes destroyed and civilians missing.
Nigerian forces have often claimed that their attacks on communities in the southeastern region are part of the crackdown on separatists and the non-state vigilante group, ESN, which it claims are responsible for attacks on government forces.
Meanwhile, the main separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, saying that the ESN is not responsible for any attacks against government forces and civilians.