Police Arrest Notorious IPOB/ESN Kingpin, Recover AK-47, Revolver in Enugu

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a suspected notorious kingpin of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in a major operation linked to Enugu State.

The suspect, identified as Chinonso Umeh, also known as “Onye Army,” was apprehended in neighbouring Imo State during an intelligence-led operation, with security operatives recovering an AK-47 rifle, a revolver pistol, assorted ammunition and charms.

The development was disclosed in the Police operational update contained in the daily situation report across seven states, issued on Tuesday by the Office of the Force Public Relations Officer on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police.

According to the report, Umeh is regarded as a notorious IPOB/ESN operative and is expected to face further investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Enugu.

The police said the operation led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, one revolver pistol, assorted ammunition and charms believed to be linked to the suspect’s activities.

In a separate operation in Enugu, police patrol teams arrested two other suspects identified as Asanya Nnamdi and Abugu Tochukwu.

Items recovered from the duo included a pump-action gun, 22 live cartridges, a knife, an Allen key and N239,200 suspected to be proceeds of criminal activities.

The report stated that the SCID in Enugu had commenced investigations into both cases to determine the extent of the suspects’ involvement in criminal activities.

Elsewhere, police operatives in Kano State arrested a 28-year-old suspect, Muhammad Isa, over alleged banditry and impersonation of military personnel.

The police said two of his alleged accomplices, identified simply as Atiku and Alhassan, escaped during the operation, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend them.

Recovered from the suspect were an AK-47 magazine loaded with 30 rounds of live ammunition, an additional 79 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, two military uniforms, three military caps, a suspected fake military identity card, a National Identity Card, ATM cards and a pair of desert boots.

In Zamfara State, tactical police teams, working with other security agencies, were deployed to suspected escape routes following a bandit attack on Geba village. The SCID in Gusau has commenced investigations into the incident.

In Niger State, detectives visited the scene of a double homicide at Woko village, evacuated the victims’ bodies to the General Hospital, New Bussa, for autopsy and launched a manhunt for those responsible.

Police in Oyo State also rescued a kidnapped farmer, Owoade Mathew, unhurt after sustained bush-combing operations involving police personnel, Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters.

The victim was reunited with his family, while the SCID in Ibadan is investigating the kidnapping and a related armed robbery case.

In Ogun State, detectives arrested two suspects, Mubarak Ibrahim and Mohammed Yusuf, at the Ogere Trailer Park Market over the alleged vandalism and theft of electrical infrastructure.

The police said stolen electrical conductors and other equipment were recovered from the suspects, who would be charged in court after investigations by the SCID in Eleweran.

Meanwhile, in Cross River State, police tracked and arrested a rape suspect identified as Henry Erim.

According to the report, the survivor was taken to Cottage Hospital, Akpet Central, for medical examination, while the suspect allegedly confessed to the offence and remains in police custody pending the conclusion of investigations by the SCID in Calabar.