The Nigerian army has announced that its troops have killed a suspected kingpin of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Imo State, Southeast Nigeria. According to a statement on the army’s Facebook page on Monday, the operation also led to the arrest of two other notorious terrorists during multiple raids on IPOB hideouts in the state.
The operations were conducted in collaboration with other security agencies, although the statement did not specify which agencies were involved. One of the raids targeted a suspected IPOB hideout in Ezeinyen Okwe Umucheke, a community in Onuimo Local Government Area. The operation aimed to capture a suspected IPOB leader identified as Chinemerem, known locally as “Bam Bam.”
The statement reported that Chinemerem was neutralized when he attempted to reach for his weapon, and several of his accomplices were arrested. A substantial cache of weapons, ammunition, and IPOB/ESN paraphernalia was seized, and the hideout was destroyed.
In another operation in Ama Hausa, Okigwe Local Government Area, troops intercepted other suspected IPOB/ESN members. After a shootout, the suspected terrorists fled, abandoning ammunition and motorcycles. The troops recovered seventy-two rounds of 7.62 x 51mm NATO ammunition, four rounds of 7.62mm (special), three rounds of 5.56mm, one FN rifle, a pair of military desert boots, and one green beret.
Additionally, the army conducted a raid in Orlu Local Government Area targeting two other notorious kingpins, Izuchukwu Emejuru, known as “Kingkong,” and Chibuzor Chikwe, also known as “Onyema.” Both suspects were arrested, and a variety of weapons, including a semi-automatic pump-action gun, a locally made gun, and a pistol, were confiscated. The troops also recovered valuables reportedly belonging to Ugonna Iriele, the traditional ruler of Ogberuru in the Orlu Council Area, whose palace was burned down by gunmen in September 2023.
IPOB, a group advocating for the independence of Biafra from Southeast and parts of South-South Nigeria, has been linked to numerous attacks in these regions. However, the group has consistently denied involvement in the violence.
In a related development, the army reported that its troops tracked down and arrested a suspected terrorist, Ibrahim Abdullahi, in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, North-Central Nigeria. The operation led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, magazines, and ammunition. The statement did not specify the dates of these multiple operations.
“These operations underscore the synergy and commitment of the security forces in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by terrorist groups and criminals,” the army stated.