Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Troops of the Nigerian Army have apprehended five suspects in Ebonyi State, including a notorious kingpin of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in connection with the killing of a police officer in Delta State earlier this year. The arrest was carried out in the early hours of Tuesday, April 21, 2026, during a raid on a suspected hideout in Nwofe, Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, following what the military described as credible intelligence. A statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 82 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, confirmed that the operation was conducted by troops of Sector 2, Operation UDO KA, operating under the broader Operation Eastern Sanity. The suspects, including the commander known by the alias “Calamity” and four other key members of the IPOB/ESN network, are currently in custody and undergoing further investigation. “Troops of Sector 2, Operation UDO KA, acting on credible intelligence, successfully arrested a notorious IPOB/ESN kingpin known as ‘Calamity’ alongside four other suspects during a raid on their hideout,” the statement read.
The army linked the suspects directly to a violent attack on police officers that occurred at Okuku-Igbo in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State on February 26, 2026. During that attack, a police officer was killed, another sustained injuries, and the assailants carted away two AK-47 rifles belonging to the officers. “The suspects were linked to the attack in Delta State where a police officer was killed and another injured, with two AK-47 rifles carted away by the assailants,” the army statement added. The February incident had sent shockwaves through the security community in Delta State, prompting intensified security operations in the region. The attack was one of several targeting security personnel in the South-South and South-East geopolitical zones, where IPOB and ESN have been accused of waging a low-intensity campaign against state forces.
According to military authorities, the suspects had fled Delta State to evade arrest after the security operations there intensified. They reportedly relocated to Ebonyi State, where they established a new criminal camp in the Nwofe area of Izzi Local Government Area to continue their violent activities. “Following intensified security operations in Delta State, the suspects fled and established a new criminal camp in Ebonyi State to continue their activities,” Lieutenant Colonel Ayeni stated. The raid on the hideout was the culmination of sustained intelligence-gathering efforts, which allowed troops to locate and storm the camp in the early hours of Tuesday. At the time of the arrest, the suspected kingpin, “Calamity,” was found in possession of a black handbag containing five mobile phones and numerous keys. Other exhibits recovered from the scene included a black Kcsanya motorcycle, believed to have been used by the group for their operations.
The Nigerian Army described the successful operation as a testament to the determination of the armed forces, in collaboration with other security agencies, to neutralize terrorist threats and restore peace across the region. “This successful operation underscores the determination of the Nigerian Armed Forces in collaboration with other security agencies to neutralize terrorist threats, restore peace, and protect law-abiding citizens across the region,” the statement said. The military also reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and property and called on members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely information that will aid ongoing operations. The suspects are currently undergoing further interrogation to dismantle the wider network of criminal collaborators and recover other weapons hidden by the group.
The arrest of “Calamity” and his associates is a significant blow to the operational capabilities of IPOB/ESN in the South-East region. The group, which has been proscribed by the Nigerian government, has been accused of a series of attacks on security personnel and government installations, including the killing of police officers, the bombing of police stations, and the destruction of public property. The Nigerian government has consistently linked the group to acts of terrorism and has deployed troops under Operation Eastern Sanity to flush out the militants from their hideouts in the South-East. The operation has led to the arrest of several key commanders and the recovery of a cache of weapons and ammunition.
The development has been greeted with cautious optimism by residents of Ebonyi and Delta states, who have endured the brunt of the insecurity. In Delta State, the police command has yet to issue an official statement on the arrest, but security sources have confirmed that the command is in touch with the army to coordinate further investigations. The killing of the police officer in February had sparked protests by the police community, who demanded justice for their slain colleague. The arrest of the suspects is likely to be seen as a step towards accountability, though many will be watching to see if the prosecution leads to convictions. The Nigerian Army has assured the public that the suspects will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution once investigations are concluded.
The arrest also raises questions about the ease with which suspects can relocate from one state to another to evade security forces. The fact that the suspects were able to flee Delta State, cross state lines, and establish a new camp in Ebonyi State highlights the challenges of inter-agency coordination and the porous nature of state borders in the region. However, the success of the raid in Nwofe suggests that the military is adapting its intelligence-gathering capabilities to track and neutralise suspects even when they relocate. The army has called on members of the public to provide timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations, emphasising that community cooperation is essential to winning the war against terrorism.
As the investigation continues, the focus will now shift to the prosecution of the suspects and the potential recovery of the two AK-47 rifles stolen during the February attack. The rifles are believed to be in the possession of other members of the network who remain at large. The Nigerian Army has vowed to sustain the momentum of Operation Eastern Sanity until all criminal elements are flushed out of the region. For the families of the slain police officer, the arrest brings a measure of hope that justice may finally be served. But for now, the five suspects remain in military custody, and the public awaits the next phase of the operation.
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