Troops of Sector 1 Exercise GOLDEN DAWN III, in conjunction with other security agencies, on Wednesday, apprehended a suspected commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra, and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network, identified as Uchechukwu Akpa, and three others at their hideout at Christ the King Catholic Church Ameta Mgbowo in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The Nigerian Army revealed this in a statement and photos shared on its official X handle on Thursday.
According to the statement, the arrest, which followed a credible intelligence report, was carried out during a raid of their hideout while they were holding a meeting to take over the leadership of the IPOB/ESN Auto Pilot Command, Enugu State Chapter, from the apprehended former Commander, Chocho.
The statement partly read, “During the raid, Mr. Uchechukwu Akpa sustained a gunshot wound while trying to escape. Others arrested are Udoka Anthony Ude, Ikechukwu Ulanta, and Ezennaya Udeigewere. While quantity 4 of live cartridges were recovered.
“It could be recalled that Mr. Uchechukwu Akpa was the second in command to Chocho, a notorious IPOB/ESN criminal who earlier escaped to Benue State due to the intensity of own operations and was recently arrested. The arrested criminals are presently in custody for further exploitation.”
The statement further read that in a follow-up raid carried out in the early hours of Thursday at another hideout in Nenwe, Agwu Local Government Area of Enugu State, the troops recovered one AK 47 rifle, two AK 47 magazines, 25 rounds of 7.62mm NATO special ammunition, and one pump action rifle.
The General Officer Commanding 82 Division Nigerian Army, Major General HT Dada, appreciated the incredible cooperation of other security agencies for the success of the operation.
He also urged the people to continually provide timely, reliable, and credible information that will lead to the arrest of more unscrupulous elements through the emergency line 193.
Credit: X|HQNigerianArmy|Punch
