Troops Raid IPOB/ESN Camp In Enugu, Bust Gunrunner Syndicate In Obudu

• Nab Notorious Commander, Recover Arms

Nnamdi Chukwu 

TROOPS of the 82 Division Nigerian Army under the auspices of Operation UDO KA II, in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies, on Thursday 10 August 2023, conducted a raid on the hideouts of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN), at Imufu in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State. 

In the encounter with the suspected irredentist fighters, troops reportedly 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 the 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 allegedly 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.

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 9 August 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 the Obudu and Biaju general areas. In the sting operation, the leader of the 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 the gun-running kingpin, Raphael (aka Biajua), a Cameroonian, at Biajua community in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State. The troops also recovered 4 Semi-Automatic Pump Action Rifles and four mobile phones.

The Nigerian Army enjoins 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”, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director, Army Public Relations said in a statement.  

Eighteen-Eleven Media