By Muhammad Mamman
In a bold operation, Nigerian security forces dismantled a stronghold of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Imo State, South-east Nigeria, authorities announced Tuesday. The high-stakes raid, conducted Monday in the volatile Ubaa community of Njaba Local Government Area, targeted notorious commanders of the separatist group, delivering a significant blow to their operations.
Imo State Police Spokesperson Henry Okoye, a deputy superintendent, revealed that the joint operation—executed with other security agencies—followed critical intelligence and confessions from two recently apprehended suspects, Uchenna Opara and Ozioma Ihedoro. As security forces closed in, the armed militants opened fire, only to be overwhelmed by the operatives’ superior firepower. The suspects fled into nearby bushes, some with gunshot wounds, Okoye said.
“Investigations are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects,” Okoye stated, underscoring the operation’s success in disrupting IPOB’s activities.
The raid yielded a significant haul of weapons and equipment, including an AK-47 rifle with three magazines, 40 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, 60 rounds of GPMG ammunition, two pump-action guns, 582 live cartridges, two Biafra flags, and a POS machine, according to police reports.
Imo State Police Commissioner Aboki Danjuma praised the operation and reaffirmed the commitment to ensuring resident safety. “We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals, especially those with gunshot injuries,” Danjuma said in a statement. He also encouraged residents to use designated police hotlines for swift reporting of security threats.
IPOB, a group advocating for the secession of South-east and parts of South-south Nigeria, has been linked to deadly attacks in the region, though the group consistently denies involvement. Monday’s operation marks a significant escalation in Nigeria’s efforts to curb the separatist movement’s influence.
