Army Kills Suspected ESN Member, Arrests Jailbreak Escapee

The Nigerian Army has allegedly killed a man suspected to be a member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network in Imo State. It also stated that Chimezie Chukwu, a suspected escapee of the Jos’ jailbreak, also known as Bigi has been apprehended during different operations in the South East region of the country.

The military on checkpoint duties in Okigwe Local Government Area of the state, shot Chimezie Chukwu, the suspected IPOB/ESN member when he tried to run away in their attempt to arrest him which caused his death.

The spokesperson for the Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA II, Jonah Unuakhalu, disclosed the incident in a statement on social media through his X account (formerly Twitter) channel and shared it on the X account of the force page.

Jonah Unuakhalu said: “Troops of Sector 4 deployed at 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 alight from the motorcycle, he took to his heels to escape arrest. All efforts to stop him proved abortive forcing the troops to open fire and neutralised the suspect. Items recovered from him are, two live rounds of 7.62mm Special, One ITEL Mobile phone, one small bag containing charms, the sum of Two thousand three hundred naira only, and One Qlink motorcycle.”

He further said: “Troops of Sector 1 of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA II on Friday 20 October 2023 in conjunction with the Department of State Security Enugu State Command conducted a raid operation to suspected Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliates the Eastern Security Network hideout in Ugbakwa Village in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.

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

However, the spokesperson also disclosed that a suspected IPOB/ESN hideout in Ogbunka in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State was raided by another sector of troops, and three vehicles were recovered.

“Additionally, troops of Sector 5 of Operation UDO KA II acting on credible intelligence also conducted raid operations to 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 which are Two Toyota Highlanders and One Mercedes Benz ML 350 efforts are ongoing to identify the owners of the vehicles,” Jonah Unuakhalu added.