Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested two members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) who had been declared wanted by the police, in Anambra State.
The Nigerian Army, in a statement on its official X handle said troops arrested the two suspects during patrol in Orumba South local government area of the state.
The statement identified the IPOB/ESN kingpins as Ifeanyi Godwin and Uche Onuoha who were arrested in a Toyota Highlander SUV, near Umunze in the Orumba South LGA.
Items found in their possession include two pump-action rifles, 41 cartridges, a hand-held communication radio, and fetish objects.
Investigations conducted by the troops “revealed the suspects’ involvement in criminal activities and that they have been on the Nigeria Police Wanted list since 2023.”
According to the statement, preliminary investigations further revealed that Godwin who allegedly owned a hotel from proceeds of kidnapping used the facility as an IPOB/ESN operational base.
Meanwhile, in Oyo State, troops acting on credible intelligence raided the residence of a suspected kidnap kingpin identified as Bello Chikidawoje in the Bodija Area of Ibadan North LGA.
Troops during the operation recovered two AK-47 rifles, magazines loaded with ammunition, and additional rounds buried inside an animal’s cage.
“Efforts are underway to apprehend Bello Chikidawoje and dismantle his criminal network,” the statement said.
In another operation in Katsina State, troops responded to a distress call about terrorists blocking the road in Ruma Yargamji in Batsari.
According to the statement, troops’ swift action compelled the terrorists to flee, resulting in the recovery of three empty AK-47 magazines along their withdrawal route.
In the same vein, troops acting on intelligence about terrorists planning an attack on commuters returning from the village market confronted the terrorists, in Kankara LGA of the State, leading to the killing of one terrorist and recovery of one AK-47 rifle and ammunition.