Troops of Operation Udo Ka have arrested suspected kingpins of the Indigenous People of Biafra and their Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) in Imo State and recovered cache of arms and ammunition.
The Nigerian Army in a statement on its official social media handles said troops also tracked and arrested a suspected terrorist in Kwara State and recovered an AK-47 rifle from the hoodlum.
According to the statement, in collaboration with other security forces, troops conducted successful raids on IPOB/ESN hideouts, leading to the arrest of key terror kingpins.
The statement noted that troops in one of the raids in Orlu local government area, targeted notorious kingpins, namely Izuchukwu Emejuru, aka “Kingkong,” and Chibuzor Chikwe, alias “Onyema.”
During the raid, troops arrested the suspects and confiscated a variety of weapons, including a semi automatic pump-action gun, a locally-made gun, and a pistol.
Troops also recovered valuable items belonging to Eze Ogberuru, whose palace was earlier desecrated and burnt with his belonging carted away by the ESN elements.
In another operation, troops raided the hideout of a suspected IPOB/ESN kingpin identified as Chinemerem, aka “Bam Bam,” in Ezeinyen Okwe Umucheke, Onuimo LGA.
The Army said troops during the operation killed Chinemerem, as he attempted to reach for his weapon and arrested several of his accomplices.
Following the raids, the Army said troops recovered a substantial amount of weapons, ammunition, IPOB/ESN paraphernalia and destroyed their hideouts.
Furthermore, troops also burst suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists at a hideout in Amausa, Okigwe local government area.
In the ensuing shootout, troops overpowered the separatists who fled in disarray, abandoning 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, one FN Rifle, a pair of military desert boots and one green beret.
In a related development, troops successfully tracked and arrested a suspected terrorist, identified as Ibrahim Abdullahi, in Edu local government area of Kwara State and recovered an AK-47 rifle, magazines and ammunition.
