Tag: ESN

  • BREAKING: IPOB, ESN members behind Imo attacks – IGP

    BREAKING: IPOB, ESN members behind Imo attacks – IGP

    Police authorities have stated those who razed Imo Police Command Headquarters and freed inmates at the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS) on Monday were members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network(ESN).

    Inspector- General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu ordered the immediate deployment of additional units of Police Mobile Force (PMF) and other Police Tactical Squads to Imo State to strengthen security and prevent further attacks on security formations or any other critical national infrastructure in the State.

    A statement on Monday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba said: “Preliminary investigations have revealed that the attackers, who came in their numbers with sophisticated weapons such as General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), Sub-Machine Guns (SMGs), AK49 rifles, Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), are members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN).

    “The attempt by the attackers to gain access to the Police armoury at the Headquarters was totally and appropriately resisted by Police operatives on duty who repelled the attackers and prevented them from breaking-in and looting the armory”.

    The armoury, Mba said, is intact, adding the police suffered no human casualty, apart from a police Constable who sustained a minor bullet wound on his shoulder.

    He said one of the operational vehicles of the attackers has been recovered by the Police and is being subjected to forensic scrutiny and investigations.

    The police boss, who described the deliberate and criminal attack on security operatives as an attack on the soul of the country enjoined leaders in Imo State, the South-East and other parts of the country to speak out against the unfolding violence and criminality.

    The IGP called on citizens to avail the Police and other security agencies with useful information that can assist in identifying and arresting the criminals.

  • 16 killed as troops, police, ESN clash in Abia

    16 killed as troops, police, ESN clash in Abia

    Soldiers of the 144 Battalion, stationed at Ariaria junction, along the Enugu–Port Harcourt expressway, yesterday, allegedly killed 16 gunmen who engaged them in a fierce gun battle.

    A  military source, however, said it was a joint operation of the Nigerian Army and police which led to the death of about 16 gunmen who were operatives of the Eastern Security Network, ESN.

    The  source said hundreds of security operatives on Tuesday night launched a heavy attack on the  camp of  the ESN in Aba, Abia State, killing no fewer than 16 of them and injuring others.

    It was gathered that the operation was in response to a series of attacks against security personnel in the South-East. Not less than 20 security operatives have been killed in the region by unknown gunmen in the last three months. Police stations  are also not left out in the assault as four of them were razed since January.

    This came as  the Abia State Government raised an alarm that arms and hoodlums had been imported and camped in a location in Aba for the March 27, 2021, Aba North/South federal constituency  by-election.

    However, the Nigerian Army, and the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, have dismissed as fake, the report  that the military attacked the  ESN camp in Aba, killing no fewer than 16 personnel of the security outfit.

    The alleged killing is coming 48 hours after three policemen were ambushed and murdered by hoodlums in Abiriba, in Ohafia Local Council of Abia State.

    The gunmen, said to be numbering about 50, engaged the soldiers at their checkpoint  at the Ariaria junction.

    Sources told Vanguard that before the gunmen arrived the area; the soldiers had gathered intelligence and laid in wait for them.

    As soon as the gunmen arrived, they  opened fire but the soldiers responded.

    In the ensuing gun duel which was said to have lasted for over 30 minutes, 16 persons were shot dead in the duel. Other members of the gang reportedly sustained bullet wounds.

    However, there are conflicting reports about the number of casualties. While some sources said 16 persons were killed, among them, a soldier, a top military source in Aba said only 11 gunmen were killed while there was no casualty on the side of the army.

    “No soldier was killed, but we killed 11 of the gunmen. I assure the public that there was no casualty among the soldiers.” he said.

    Reacting to the incident, Abia State government commended the soldiers for their gallantry, stressing that it is committed to the protection of lives and properties of Abia residents.

    Assistant Director Army Public Relations, 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Captain Iliya Dauda, told Vanguard in Aba that there was no military operation against any ESN camp in Abia.

    He rather explained that unknown gunmen attacked an Army  checkpoint at Osisioma junction Aba but were repelled.

    He said there were no casualty on the part of the Army but begged for more time to receive report from their men at the scene investigating and assessing the incident.

    The Army spokesman urged members of the public to disregard the said report which he insisted was false.

    Similarly, IPOB dismissed the said report as cheap propaganda by those who planted it.

    IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary Emma Powerful, in a reaction said no ESN camp was attacked in Abia.

    He rather claimed that the military indiscriminately arrested innocent Igbo young men and tagged them ESN personnel and executed them to create an impression that they had inflicted casualty on ESN.

    Powerful said ESN was formidable and could not be easily dislodged by the Nigerian security agencies, adding that the outfit is in the forest to get rid of terrorists.

    “They gathered innocent people last night and tagged them ESN operatives. Let them tell the world which ESN camp they attacked. Nigeria soldiers in their normal ways removed some young men’s clothes and saw  marks on their body, then they arrested and tagged them IPOB and ESN members.”

    But in a swift response, Captain Dauda denied any involvement of the military in the allegation, saying it was concocted to whip up sentiments.

    He said the alleged photos of corpses in the said story  were photoshops, insisting that the military did not carry out any military operation in any part of Abia.

    Decrying alleged procurement of arms and  importation  hoodlums camped in a location in Aba for the March 27 election by one of the opposition parties, the Abia State Government tasked the security agencies to ensure that the hoodlums are swiftly arrested while others on the way are prevented from entering the state.

    Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu who disclosed this in Umuahia, explained that intelligence reports available to the state revealed that the opposition party plans to overheat the polity as a prelude to calling for full deployment of the military which will in turn create room for the deployment of the hoodlums with fake uniforms and procured arms.“

    His words:  “Specifically, we are aware that about 200 armed youths have already been camped at a location and are awaiting deployment with fake military uniform made  available to them by an Abia born retired Army General who only recently joined the opposition party, with the intention of unleashing mayhem on the people of the state.

    “We advise the police and military high command as well as office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to be wary of the antics of desperate politicians seeking for expansion of family enterprise, even at the expense of precious lives of citizens rather than growth and unity of our nation.”

    Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Maj General Abiodun Lagbaja, yesterday,  told officers and men of the 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support), in Onitsha, to remain professional and responsive in the discharge of their duties. Major General Lagbaja, also charged the soldiers to be  conscious of their safety while at their duty posts, warning that they should not relax as if they are at their homes, just as he warned them about leaving only one person at their duty post for any  reason to give hoodlums opportunities to attack them.

    He also enjoined the soldiers to ensure full enforcement of the State Government’s order banning tinted vehicles and covered number plates.

    Major Gen Lagbaja’s visit  is coming one week after hoodlums attacked two military check points in Anambra State where they killed three Nigerian Navy officers and made away with their riffles.

    The GOC who assured his officers and men that the army authority is working hard to improve on their welfare, advised them to take the Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine to safeguard themselves and their loved ones from the dreaded Corona-virus pandemic.

    He said:  “The Nigerian Army will continue to carry out its constitutional responsibilities with high sense of professionalism despite any form of provocation.

    “As  soldiers, if you are six in a duty post, stay together and at alert. If you must give permission for any one to eat, you must not allow more than one person at a time to leave for any excuse. If you observe the rules of your engagement, there will not be any issue of human rights violation in the discharge of your jobs or attack against you.

    “I have gone round Anambra State and I have discovered that soldiers are misbehaving.  IPOB is trying to tell the world that we are Army of occupation and you must not prove them right. You must discharge your duties as soldiers of the Nigerian Army.

    “The job we ask you to do is not to harrass and intimidate people or collect money at road blocks. When you stay together, you will fight together against the enemies. Permit only one person out at a time.”

    He acknowledged that the soldiers have a lot of problems militating against their jobs but assured them that these problems are being addressed especially  accommodation and other issues, adding that in no distant time, those problems will be a thing of the past.

    “I am here  for the first time as the GOC 82 Division to sympathise with the Nigerian Navy Onitsha Out Post for the loss of their three  personnel and fire arms and to familiarize with you and know some of the problems you face.

    “The Nigerian Army under the leadership of Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru  is sincere in  addressing your welfare  issues and the only way to pay back for his genuine commitment is to work hard and in line with the rules of your engagement.”

  • It’s impossible to have joint security network in South-East —Umahi

    It’s impossible to have joint security network in South-East —Umahi

    The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, has said the security challenges of the states in the South-East region are not similar, thus cannot be solved with a joint security network.

    Umahi, the Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, also said that the governors in the region were contented with the different security designs in the states because the personnel were working very well.

    Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi.
    He said this during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programmed on Thursday.

    “What we have in South-East states in a Joint Security Committee which trains Neighbourhood Watch and the vigilante groups or other local security architectures at different states in the region. If anybody tells you that there could be security personnel contributed from different states to form joint security for this region, it is not a possibility. It is not workable even if the constitution permits it.

    “Every state is peculiar and so is their security challenges. The problem is that those complaining about the lack of joint security for the South-East are not living in the region. They don’t have the knowledge of how security works in the region.

    “The governors of the South-East states are comfortable with the different security architectures at various states because the personnel are working very well. There is a problem of insecurity in the region, but the issue is not peculiar to the region alone, it is a national problem.

    “We are happy with what our local security personnel are doing at different states. We are not God who assures 100 per cent security but we are trying our best and this what our people want,” he said.

    Umahi explained that having a combined security system will come with its deficits in terms of the arrangement of personnel from one state to another which they may not be acquainted with.

    ”Our local security architectures at different states know the terrain and the people very well and are given the opportunity to secure their environment and the people. That is the kind of arrangement we have in the South East,” he said.

  • ESN vs Army: Gov Uzodimma Impose Dust to Dawn curfew in 8 LGs

    ESN vs Army: Gov Uzodimma Impose Dust to Dawn curfew in 8 LGs

    Residents of Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State on Monday fled their homes following a sporadic shooting by soldiers and suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its outfit, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

    At least 10 people were feared dead, according to sources.

    Reports said the number of casualties could be more.

    A viral video showed bodies lying on the streets or Orlu, including that of a woman, said to have been hit by a stray bullet.

    Vehicles conveying armed soldiers were also seen. A clip showed soldiers lying on the ground and appearing to take aim.

    Governor Hope Uzodimma declared a dusk to dawn curfew in nine of the affected council areas.

    It was gathered many houses and shops were burnt in reprisal by soldiers following the alleged killing of one of them.

    Last Friday, a policeman was also allegedly killed at Okporo, Orlu by some security operatives believed to be ESN members.

    Scores were wounded in the ensuing confusion.

    Read Also: One feared dead as soldiers, IPOB’s security outfit clash in Imo
    According to the state government, “innocent citizens were killed and maimed in the process”.

    Uzodimma, in a statement by his spokesman Oguwike Nwachuku, said the curfew followed disturbing report on the activities of a group of militants that unleashed mayhem on residents of Orlu.

    He urged security agencies to fish out the perpetrators without fail.

    The governor said the curfew was an interim measure to immediately restore the peace in the area.

    It will begin at 6pm and end at 6 am daily and affects Orlu, Orsu, Oru East, Oru West, Ideato North, Ideato South, Njaba, Isu, Nwangele and Nkwerre local government areas of Orlu zone.

    Addressing a news conference, Uzodimma said the perpetrators of the carnage were out to paint a picture of near break down of law and order in Orlu area.

    The governor advised the residents of the affected LGAs to comply with the curfew as anyone who violates it will be treated as a suspect.

    Uzodimma said security agencies have been directed to carry out a 24-hour patrol, adding that law-abiding citizens can go about their businesses without fear of molestation.

    The governor condoled with the families of the bereaved and assured them that those who committed the heinous crime against them and their loves ones will not go unpunished.

    The governor said: “This afternoon, I received a very disturbing report on the activities of a group of militants who unleashed a shooting spree in the Orlu area of the state, killing and maiming innocent citizen in the process.

    “I am totally appalled by this sad report which appears to paint a picture of near breakdown of law and order in the Orlu area.

    “The government condemns in its entirety this act of extreme hooliganism and brigandage.

    “This is completely unacceptable to this administration. Those behind this callous barbarism will surely regret their actions.

    “Consequently, I have directed the security agencies to fish out without fail, all those behind the carnage and immediately bring them to book.

    “Let no one be in any doubt that the perpetrators of this dastardly act will ever escape justice. I assure them that they will pay for their cruelty against a peace-loving, innocent people.”

    The governor assured Imo people that the situation in Orlu area is under control.

    “Every security measure necessary has been put in place to ensure that law-abiding citizens can go about their businesses in the affected areas without any fear of molestation.

    “The government sincerely condoles with the families of the bereaved and all the victims of the unfortunate incident.

    “I assure them that those who committed the heinous crime against them and their loved ones will never go unfurnished,” the governor said.

    A former minister of aviation Chief Femi Fani-Kayode tweeted: “The clash between soldiers and members ESN in Orlu, Imo State has resulted in some deaths & this is unfortunate.

    “I call for restraint on both sides. The soldiers ought to be deployed against killer herdsmen and not ESN. When will Buhari learn?”

    Another former minister, Oby Ezekwesili, said: “Can the @HQNigerianArmy and @DefenceInfoNG please communicate what’s going on here in Orlu Town to the public?

    “It certainly has the appearance of a war scene. Is an entire town under combat operation from our Military?

    “Can the C-in-C let Nigerians know who ordered this operation?”

    Efforts to get the reaction of the Nigerian Army on the crisis in Orlu were unsuccessful.

    Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sagir Musa, did not pick his calls or respond to text messages sent to his phone.

  • Insecurity: IPOB launches security outfit for protection of its Region

    Insecurity: IPOB launches security outfit for protection of its Region

    The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) has launched a security outfit known as the Eastern Security Network (ESN), which it said will protect the south-east and south-south from criminal activities.

    Spokesperson of the proscribed group, Emma Powerful who made the announcement on Sunday December 13, said the outfit is a replica of Amotekun launched by the governors of the south-west to curb insecurity in that region.

    He added that the “failure” of the governors of the south-east and south-south to enforce measures that will protect the people in those regions, led to the launch of the security outfit.

    The statement read;

    “The sole aim and objective of this newly formed security outfit known as Eastern Security Network is to halt every criminal activity and terrorist attack on Biafraland.

    “This outfit, which is a vigilante group like the Amotekun in the south-west and the Miyetti Allah security outfit, will ensure the safety of our forests and farm lands which terrorists have converted into slaughter grounds and raping fields.

    “We can’t watch helplessly while those we are agitating to liberate from bondage are gradually being eliminated by terrorists.

    “We, therefore, advise every robber, kidnapper and other criminals to steer clear of Biafra land or brace for the worst. We must defend Biafra no matter the price.

    “Biafra security network personnel will release special phone numbers for people to call whenever there is any case of criminality, including kidnapping and robbery activities, in the whole of Biafra land.

    “Every resident in Biafra land should use the numbers to report any criminal activity anywhere in Biafra land for prompt response.

    “Unnecessary police brutality on innocent citizens also must stop.

    “Police and army checkpoints which have since been converted to extortion points should be dismantled. Any attempt to sabotage this security network will be stoutly resisted.”