No fewer than two Indigenous People of Biafra fighters have been killed by operatives of the Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, and Nigerian Army during clearance operations in Enugu.
The operatives also arrested the leader of a gunrunning syndicate and four others including two Cameroonians in Cross Rivers state after an intelligence report.
A statement on Friday by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen.Onyema Nwachukwu said an Eastern Security Network commander who threatened to unleash mayhem in a viral video had been arrested in Enugu.
It read, “Troops of 82 Division Nigerian Army under the auspices of Operation UDO KA II in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and other security agencies have on Thursday, August 10, 2023, conducted a raid operation into the hideouts of Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network at Imufu in Igbo-Eze North, Local Government Area of Enugu State.
“In the encounter with the irredentist fighters, troops subdued the group with superior firepower, neutralizing two fighters and recovering three Semi Automatic Pump Action Rifles and a locally fabricated single barrel gun.
“Similarly, troops in conjunction with DSS same day, arrested a notorious ESN Commander, Mr Ezege in a separate sting operation at Obinagu in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. The arrested ESN Commander recently threatened to unleash mayhem in Enugu state via his viral video and audio message circulated on some social media platforms. He is currently in custody for further investigations.”
Onyema noted that during preliminary investigations it was revealed that the gunrunners sell arms to a middleman who sells to Ambazonian separatists.
“In another operational engagement, troops of 130 Battalion operating in 13 Brigade Area of Responsibility under 82 Division Nigerian Army, in collaboration with DSS on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, busted a notorious syndicate of Gunrunners at Obudu motorcycle park in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River state.
“The operation followed credible intelligence revealing the illicit activities of the Gunrunners in Obudu and Biaju general areas. In the sting operation, the leader of a gun-running syndicate was nabbed alongside his accomplices, including two Nigerians and two Cameroonians.
“During preliminary investigations, it was revealed that the accomplices purchased firearms, which they, in turn, sell to a middleman, who supplies the arms and ammunition to Ambazonian Separatists in the Republic of Cameroon.
“A subsequent operation conducted on Thursday 10 August 2023 led to the arrest of Ogun-running running kingpin, Raphael aka Biajua, a Cameroonian, at Biajua community in Boki LGA of Cross River State. The troops also recovered 4 Semi Automatic Pump Action Rifles and four mobile phones.”
He enjoined the citizens to remain vigilant and report any untoward activity to the security agencies.