The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two top commanders of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The suspects, identified as Chukwuebuka Eririogu and Uzoechi Okechukwu, were apprehended for their alleged involvement in multiple violent attacks across the state.
Speaking during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Owerri on Friday, the state Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, said the arrests were part of a broader crackdown on criminal elements operating in the state.
In a related development, the command said that ihe last two months, it has arrested 955 suspects for various crimes, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, terrorism linked to IPOB/ESN, child trafficking, murder, stealing, and receiving stolen property.
“One of the key breakthroughs was the arrest of notorious IPOB/ESN terrorists found with arms, ammunition, incriminating materials and financial records.
“Investigations also led to the apprehension of some of their sponsors and financiers, drastically reducing their nefarious activities and cutting off vital funding channels,” Danjuma said.
He added that nine kidnapped victims and seven stolen children were rescued during the operations, many of whom have since been reunited with their families.
The commissioner further disclosed that items recovered during the operations, include 17 firearms,
72 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and 673 live cartridges, and nine stolen motorcycles.
Others are Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs),
14 laptops, mobile phones, charms, Biafran currencies, counterfeit money, and a large quantity of hard drugs
He highlighted collaborative efforts with other security agencies, noting that “in joint operations with sister agencies, terrorist camps in Okigwe, Mbaitoli, and Njaba Local Government Areas were dismantled, further crippling their capacity to launch attacks.”
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The police commissioner said on September 16, 2025, the police raided an IPOB/ESN camp at Obudi Agwa in Oguta Local Government Area.
“On sighting the operatives, the hoodlums engaged them in a fierce gun battle but were overpowered by superior firepower.
“Sixteen suspects, including their sub-commanders Uzoechi Okechukwu and Paschal Igbuogwu, were arrested.
“Recovered from the camp were two AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, 375 rounds of ammunition, IPOB/ESN flags, and charms,” he disclosed.
In a separate operation on September 9, 2025, he said police operatives arrested another notorious ESN figure, Onye Chukwuebuka Eririogu, in Ogbaku, Mbaitoli Local Government Area.
“During interrogation, he confessed to multiple violent attacks carried out in collaboration with his gang,” Danjuma revealed.
