BY GODWIN OBI
Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed a suspected kingpin of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed militant wing Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Imo State.
The troops killed the kingpin and arrested two other notorious terrorists during multiple raids of IPOB hideouts in the state, the army said in a statement on X on Monday.
One of the operations was conducted at a suspected IPOB hideout in Ezeinyen Okwe Umucheke, a community in Onuimo Local Government Area of the state. The operation was targeted at the suspected IPOB kingpin identified as Chinemerem, popularly known as “Bam Bam” in the community.
“The operation led to the neutralisation of Chinemerem, as he attempted to reach for his weapon and the arrest of several of his accomplices,” the army said on X.
“A substantial amount of weapons, ammunition, and IPOB/ESN paraphernalia were seized, and the hideout was subsequently destroyed.”
The statement said the troops subsequently intercepted other suspected IPOB/ESN members at another hideout in Ama Hausa in Okigwe Local Government Area of the state.
“Overpowered in the ensuing shootout, the (suspected) terrorists were forced to flee in disarray, abandoning a cache of ammunition and motorcycles,” it said.
Seventy-two 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 were recovered from the hoodlums, according to the army.
The arrest of two other ‘notorious terrorists.’
Though the army did not identify the security operatives who took part in the operations, it said the operations were conducted in collaboration with other security agencies.
A similar operation was conducted in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, which targeted two other notorious kingpins – Izuchukwu Emejuru, otherwise known as “Kingkong,” and Chibuzor Chikwe, also known as ‘’Onyema.”
During the operation, some valuables reportedly belonging to Ugonna Iriele, the traditional ruler of Ogberuru in the Orlu Council Area, were recovered by the troops.
Iriele’s palace was razed by gunmen who attacked the area in September 2023.
“The raid resulted in the arrest of these suspects and the confiscation of a variety of weapons, including a Semi-automatic pump-action gun, a locally made gun, and a pistol,” it said.
IPOB, a group seeking the independent state of Biafra to be carved out of the South-East and some parts of south-south, Nigeria, has been linked to the deadly attacks in the regions.
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2024-07-02
