Troops of Operation Udo Ka have arrested suspected leaders of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and their Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Imo State, recovering a cache of arms and ammunition.
According to a statement by the Nigerian Army on its official social media handles, troops also tracked and arrested a suspected terrorist in Kwara State, seizing an AK-47 rifle from the individual.
The statement highlighted that, in collaboration with other security forces, troops conducted successful raids on IPOB/ESN hideouts, leading to the arrest of key terror figures. In one raid in the Orlu local government area, notorious kingpins Izuchukwu Emejuru, aka “Kingkong,” and Chibuzor Chikwe, alias “Onyema,” were apprehended. The operation resulted in the seizure of a semi-automatic pump-action gun, a locally-made gun, and a pistol.
Additionally, troops recovered valuable items belonging to Eze Ogberuru, whose palace had previously been desecrated and burned by ESN elements.
In another operation, troops raided the hideout of a suspected IPOB/ESN leader, Chinemerem, aka “Bam Bam,” in Ezeinyen Okwe Umucheke, Onuimo LGA. Chinemerem was killed as he attempted to reach for his weapon, and several of his accomplices were arrested.
Following the raids, the Army reported that troops recovered a substantial amount of weapons, ammunition, and IPOB/ESN paraphernalia, and destroyed their hideouts. In a separate operation in Amausa, Okigwe local government area, troops overpowered suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists in a shootout, causing the separatists to flee and abandon their ammunition and motorcycles. The troops recovered 72 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm (NATO) ammunition, four rounds of 7.62 mm (Special), three rounds of 5.56mm, an FN Rifle, a pair of military desert boots, and a green beret.
In a related development, troops successfully tracked and arrested a suspected terrorist identified as Ibrahim Abdullahi in the Edu local government area of Kwara State, recovering an AK-47 rifle, magazines, and ammunition.
