In a recent development, the Nigerian Army has reported the successful neutralization of one suspected member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Imo State. The army has also apprehended a suspected escapee from the Jos jailbreak, Chimezie Chukwu, also known as “Bigi,” during separate operations conducted in the South East region of the country.
The information was officially disclosed on Sunday through a statement released by Jonah Unuakhalu, the spokesperson for the Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA II. The statement was posted on the force’s social media page (formerly known as Twitter).
According to Unuakhalu, the troops of Sector 4, who were conducting checkpoint duties in Okigwe Local Government Area of the state, attempted to arrest the suspected IPOB/ESN member. However, the suspect attempted to flee to evade capture, prompting the troops to open fire, resulting in his unfortunate demise.
Unuakhalu quoted the military’s account of the incident: “Troops of Sector 4 deployed at Forward Operational Base in Okigwe, Imo State while on checkpoint duties spotted an identified IPOB/ESN member on a motorcycle. When ordered by the troops to halt and alight from the motorcycle, he took to his heels in order to escape arrest. All efforts to stop him proved abortive forcing the troops to open fire and neutralised the suspect. Items recovered from him are, two live rounds of 7.62mm Special, One ITEL Mobile phone, One small bag containing charms, the sum of Two thousand three hundred naira only, and One Qlink motorcycle.”
Furthermore, the spokesperson revealed that, in a joint operation with the Department of State Security, troops of Sector 1 of the Joint Task Force in South East raided a suspected hideout of IPOB/ESN in Ugbakwa Village, Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State. This operation resulted in the arrest of Chimezie Chukwu, alias “Bigi,” a suspected drug peddler who had escaped during a jailbreak in Jos.
“Troops of Sector 1 of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA II on Friday 20 October 2023 in conjunction with the Department of State Security Enugu State Command conducted a raid operation to a suspected Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliates, the Eastern Security Network hideout in Ugbakwa Village in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.”
“During the raid operations, troops apprehended one Mr Chimezie Chukwu AKA Biggi, an escapee of Jos Prison Break known to be a drug peddler, gunrunner, and also specialized in armed robbery. Items recovered from him include six mobile phones, three mobile phone batteries, one Moniepoint POS and ATM card, two packs of substances suspected to be cannabis, and the sum of One Hundred and Seven Thousand, Two Hundred and Eighty Naira only. The suspect and recovered items are in the custody of the DSS for further investigation.”
Additionally, Sector 5 of Operation UDO KA II, acting on credible intelligence, conducted raid operations in suspected IPOB/ESN camps at Ogbunka in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State. Upon their arrival, the camp had been abandoned by the terrorist group. Nonetheless, troops discovered and secured three abandoned Sport Utility Vehicles, consisting of two Toyota Highlanders and one Mercedes Benz ML 350. Efforts are currently underway to identify the owners of these vehicles.
The Nigerian Army’s operations in the South East region are ongoing, and they continue to target suspected individuals and locations associated with the proscribed IPOB and ESN, as well as addressing security concerns in the area.
