Army eliminates suspected IPOB member, captures Jos jailbreak escapee

The Nigerian Army has reported the elimination of an alleged member of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Imo State. Additionally, the army announced the successful apprehension of a suspected escapee from the Jos jailbreak, identified as Chimezie Chukwu, also known as Bigi, during separate operations in the South East region of the country.

This information was disclosed in a statement released on Sunday by the spokesperson for the Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA II, Jonah Unuakhalu, and was shared on the official X (formerly Twitter) page of the force.

According to Unuakhalu, the incident took place when troops from Sector 4 were engaged in checkpoint duties in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State. The troops attempted to detain the suspected IPOB/ESN member, who was traveling on a motorcycle. However, the individual attempted to flee in an effort to evade arrest, which ultimately led to the troops opening fire and resulting in the suspect’s demise.

Unuakhalu elaborated, stating, “Troops of Sector 4 deployed at the 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 dismount from the motorcycle, he took to his heels in an attempt to escape arrest. All efforts to stop him proved abortive, forcing the troops to open fire and neutralize the suspect. Items recovered from him include two live rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, one ITEL mobile phone, one small bag containing charms, the sum of Two thousand three hundred naira, and one Qlink motorcycle.”

Furthermore, in a joint operation conducted with the Department of State Security, troops from Sector 1 of the Joint Task Force in the South East region conducted a raid on a suspected hideout of IPOB/ESN in Ugbakwa Village in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, leading to the arrest of Bigi, a suspected drug peddler who had escaped during a jailbreak in Jos.

Unuakhalu added, “During the raid operations, troops apprehended one Mr. Chimezie Chukwu, AKA Biggi, an escapee from 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. The suspect and recovered items are in the custody of the DSS for further investigation.”

In another operation, a different sector of army troops carried out a raid on a suspected IPOB/ESN hideout in Ogbunka, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State. During this operation, three vehicles were recovered, and investigations are underway to ascertain their owners.

The statement concluded, “Additionally, troops of Sector 5 of Operation UDO KA II, acting on credible intelligence, also conducted raid operations on suspected IPOB/ESN camps at Ogbunka in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State. On arrival, the camp was already abandoned by the terrorist group. However, troops recovered three abandoned Sport Utility Vehicles, consisting of two Toyota Highlanders and one Mercedes Benz ML 350. Efforts are ongoing to identify the owners of the vehicles.”