Security operatives have arrested the second-in-command to the late leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Commander Ikonso.
The Nigerian Army in a statement on Wednesday night said Ikonso’s righthand man, Awurum Eze, was arrested in Aba, Abia State, where he was hiding.
The statement, which was signed by Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, was titled, ‘Security Forces Arrest Another IPOB/ESN Terrorists’ Henchman’.
Yerima said 48-year-old Eze, a native of Umoneke Nta, Isiala-Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, was also a member of IPOB’s security outfit, Eastern Security Network.
The Army said Eze had on May 4, 2021 escaped when operatives of Intelligence Response Team stormed his village house in Isiala Mbano where he was hiding.
“Intensive manhunt was thereafter launched towards tracing and arresting him. He was eventually apprehended on Wednesday, 12 May 2022, in Aba after weeks of unrelenting follow-ups by operatives.
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. Many of the arrested IPOB/ESN terrorists had earlier mentioned him as their key sponsor, mastermind and Second in Command to 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,” the statement partly read.
The statement also added that investigation by the combined team of security operatives would continue.
The PUNCH had earlier reported that security agents killed Ikonso and six other IPOB members in Imo last month.
The Federal Government had in 2017 declared IPOB as a terrorist organisation and declared its activities illegal.
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