By John Gabriel
The Nigerian Army, on Monday, said its troops deployed for counter terrorism operations in Imo State, in collaboration with other security forces, conducted successful raids on multiple hideouts of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
It said during the raid, troops arrested key terrorists’ kingpins and seized a significant cache of weapons and ammunition.
In a statement on its official X, it said the troops conducted operations in Orlu Local Government Area (LGA), targeting notorious kingpins: Izuchukwu Emejuru, aka “Kingkong,” and Chibuzor Chikwe, alias “Onyema.”
According to the statement, the raid resulted in the arrest of those suspects and the confiscation of a variety of weapons, including a semi-automatic pump-action gun, a locally-made gun and a pistol.
“Additionally, valuable items belonging to Eze Ogberuru, whose palace was earlier desecrated and burnt with his belongings carted away by ESN elements, were recovered by the troops.
“In another decisive operation, troops raided the hideout of a suspected IPOB/ESN kingpin identified as Chinemerem, aka “Bam Bam,” in Ezeinyen Okwe Umucheke, Onuimo LGA.
“The operation led to the neutralization of Chinemerem as he attempted to reach for his weapon and the arrest of several of his accomplices,” it said.
It said a substantial amount of weapons, ammunition, and IPOB/ESN paraphernalia were seized, and the hideout was subsequently destroyed.
Similarly, troops intercepted suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists at a hideout in Amausa, Okigwe LGA.
It said, overpowered in the ensuing shootout, the terrorists were forced to flee in disarray, abandoning a cache of ammunition and motorcycles, adding that it recovered 72 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm (NATO) ammunition, four rounds of 7.62 mm (Special), 3 rounds of 5.56mm, one FN Rifle, a pair of military desert boots and one green beret.
Also, troops successfully tracked and arrested a suspected terrorist identified as Ibrahim Abdullahi, in Edu LGA of Kwara State, adding that the operation led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, magazines and ammunition.
