Troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces have arrested a suspected key operative of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, during a coordinated raid in Ebonyi State, as part of ongoing security operations in the South-East.
The suspect, identified by his alias “Calamity,” was apprehended alongside four others in the early hours of April 21, 2026, during an operation conducted by troops of Sector 2 under Operation UDO KA, within the broader Operation EASTERN SANITY. The raid took place in Nwofe community, Izzi Local Government Area, following what the military described as credible intelligence linking the group to violent criminal activities.
According to the military, the arrest is connected to an earlier attack in Delta State, where gunmen reportedly killed a police officer and injured another at Okuku-Igbo in Oshimili North Local Government Area on February 26, 2026. During that incident, the attackers were said to have carted away two AK-47 rifles.
Security sources indicated that after heightened operations in Delta State, the suspects relocated to Ebonyi in a bid to evade arrest and establish a new base of operations. Acting on intelligence, troops stormed the hideout and apprehended five individuals believed to be key members of the group.
Items recovered at the scene included a black handbag containing five mobile phones and multiple keys, as well as a motorcycle believed to have been used for operational movements. Authorities said the suspects are currently in custody and undergoing further investigation aimed at dismantling the wider network and recovering additional weapons.
The military described the operation as part of sustained efforts to rid the region of criminal elements and restore stability. “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.
