Army raids IPOB camp, arrests ESN commander, nabs Cameroonian gun runner Syndicate

The Nigeria Army on Thursday raided a camp of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), an armed of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in Enugu State.

IdanNews gathered that the raid resulted in the neutralization of two IPOB/ESN fighters and the recovery of three semi-automatic pump action rifles and a locally fabricated ingle-barrel gun.

However,  in a separate operation, troops also arrested a notorious ESN commander, Mr Ezege, in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. Ezege was arrested in a sting operation following intelligence reports that he had been threatening to unleash mayhem in the state. He is currently in custody for further investigations.

Also in another operation, troops of the Nigerian Army in Cross River State busted a notorious syndicate of gunrunners.

A statement by the Army Public Relations office said the operation, which was conducted on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, led to the arrest of the leader of the syndicate, Raphael aka Biajua, a Cameroonian national. Biajua and his accomplices, including two Nigerians and two Cameroonians, were arrested at Obudu motorcycle park in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The statement further said that during preliminary investigations, it was revealed that the gang purchased firearms in Nigeria and sold them to a middleman, who in turn supplied them to Ambazonian separatists in the Republic of Cameroon. A subsequent operation conducted on Thursday, August 10, 2023, led to the arrest of the middleman, who was identified as Mr Sunday. Sunday was arrested at Biajua community in Boki LGA of Cross River State.

“The Nigerian Army has enjoined the general public to remain vigilant and report any untoward activity to the security agencies, in support of ongoing operations to curb security challenges.”

“The good and enterprising people of South East Nigeria are also encouraged to discountenance the illegal sit-at-home order and go about their daily activities and businesses without fear of intimidation, as ongoing operations will be sustained to counter the enforcement of the unlawful order.”