TROOPS of 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, have arrested one Godwin Nnamdi, a leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, stated in Enugu on Sunday that the troops of Operation Golden Dawn arrested Nnamdi on Christmas Day.
Nwachukwu said Nnamdi was arrested during a clearance operation in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.
He said that troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one magazine containing 21 rounds of 7.62 mm special bullets and one telephone handset from the suspect.
“The IPOB/ESN leader was arrested during clearance operations at a camp suspected to be the fortress of IPOB/ESN at Akpowfu Forest, in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.
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“During the clearance operation, troops engaged the dissidents in a fire fight, compelling them to take to their heels, leading to the arrest of their leader.
“The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Faruk Yahaya, while commending the troops, charged them to comb and clear all suspected hideouts of criminals in their areas of responsibility,” Nwachukwu added.
According to a report, the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army says troops of Joint Security Team have raided a suspected Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network, IPOB/ESN, hideout located in Mgbowo, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
In a statement on Tuesday, the acting spokesperson of the Division, Abubakar Abdullahi, said two ring leaders of the proscribed group were arrested during the operation.
According to him, the suspects are undergoing interrogation with a security agency.
The statement said: “It should be noted that, contrary to IPOB/ESN propaganda video, there was no incident of indiscriminate firing or unprovoked burning of houses during the raid.
“The joint operation in Agwu was conducted in the night and there was no destruction of any private property involved.”
The statement added that the trending videos in circulation claiming to represent the aftermath of the night operation was not portraying the Agwu operation.
“It is meant to whip up sentiment and incite the public against the Army. Meanwhile, Investigation into the video is ongoing to ascertain when and where it was shot and those involved.
“Any personnel found culpable would be sanctioned accordingly. Updates will be communicated when investigation is completed,” the statement noted.
The Division, therefore, advised Nigerians to disregard such propaganda materials intended to mislead the public.
“We shall continue to support other security agencies in line with our constitutional mandate in a professional manner. Any act of unprofessional conduct among our troops will not be tolerated,” the statement added.
