Security operatives have arrested the second-in-command to Ikonso, the neutralised commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/ Eastern Security Network (ESN) Awurum Eze.
In a statement on Wednesday, The Director of Public Relations at the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima said Eze was nabbed by security operatives in Aba, the commercial centre of Abia State in the south-east region of the country.
The forty-eight years old Eze according to the statement, is a native of Umoneke Nta in Isiala-Mbano Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
According to the statement: "Awurum Eze is one of the main sponsors of the numerous killings in Imo State and has been on the wanted list of security agents for more than 3 months."
“Intensive manhunt was launched towards tracing and arresting him. He was eventually apprehended on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in Aba after weeks of unrelenting follow-ups by operatives.
“Many of the arrested IPOB /ESN terrorists had earlier mentioned him as their key sponsor, mastermind and Second-in-Command to the late Ikonso. According to them, amongst all their leaders in Imo State, only Ikonso and Awurum have direct communication link with Nnamdi Kanu. He can be seen in several photographs posing with the fugitive terrorist leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
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“Investigation by the combined team of security operatives continues.”
It would be recalled that the army on April 24, the army confirmed the death of Ikonson – the overall commander and vice president of the secessionist group – by a combined team of security forces.
He was said to have been killed in a raid on the operational headquarters of the IPOB/ESN in Awomama Village in Oru East local government area of Imo State.
The operation was carried out by troops of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, as well as operatives of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and Department of State Services (DSS).
