By Obioha Victor
Troops of the Nigerian Army scored another victory in the battle against insecurity and violent separatism in the South East as they arrested a suspected commander of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed militant wing Eastern Security Network (ESN) during a raid on the group’s hideout in Nwofe, Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
This was disclosed in a statement by spokesperson of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni. Ayeni said that the suspect named “Calamity” was arrested alongside four others suspected of involvement in the killing of a police operative in Delta.
He said: “The operation was conducted following credible intelligence that linked the suspect and his cohort to the killing of a police officer and the injury of another during an attack at Okuku-Igbo in Oshimili North Local Government Area, Delta State on 26 February 2026. During that attack, the assailants carted away two AK-47 rifles.”
According to Ayeni, the suspects fled Delta state following intensified security operations and established a new base in Ebonyi state. He said: “Acting on actionable intelligence, troops stormed the hideout and apprehended five suspects, including the commander (Calamity) and four other suspects who are also key members of IPOB/ESN. The suspects are currently in custody and undergoing further investigation to dismantle the wider network of criminal collaborators and recover other weapons hidden by the group,”
