The Nation Newspaper

Tag: IPOB/ESN

  • DSS releases three detainees wrongfully accused of belonging to IPOB/ESN

    DSS releases three detainees wrongfully accused of belonging to IPOB/ESN

    The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday released three persons detained on suspicion of belonging to the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), accused of involvement in the killing of seven Fulani cattle herders, The Nation has gathered.

    The Service also said it is reviewing more than 20 cases of persons believed to have been wrongfully detained, as a key part of the reforms being initiated by the new Director General of the secret police, Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi.

    Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Mr. Deji Adeyanju, who posted these on his verified social media handles on Tuesday, said the trio of Augustine Udemba, Nelson Onyedikachi Udemba, and Ifesinachi Eze have been reunited with their families.

    The lawyer described the release as part of the ongoing reforms by the new DSS boss to reposition the Service and make it rule of law-compliant.

    This, he said, included reviewing the cases of those in custody, charging them to court where required, and releasing those wrongfully detained.

    He stated, “We are currently working on more than 20 cases with the service and thank the DG of the DSS for his commitment to ensuring the right thing is done. We are aware that there are hundreds of Nigerians with similar issues, and we are further appealing to the DG for a speedy process in the ongoing reforms.”

    While the lawyer did not state if compensation was or would be paid to the released detainees, security sources hinted to The Nation that, going by the DG’s habit of paying compensation to wrongfully detained persons, it was most likely that the trio would be compensated.

    Last week, the DSS DG directed that a businessman who owns a quarry on the Abuja-Kaduna expressway, arrested by the Service since 2022 on suspicion of kidnapping, be released and paid N10 million as compensation.

    Read Also: DSS-led hybrid squad kills 45 terrorists

    It was reported that he might get more from the DG.

    Another outstanding case was that of the payment of N20 million compensation to a Jos-based businessman who was mistakenly shot in the leg by DSS operatives in 2016.

    Even after it was established by the DSS that the man was shot in error, and a court awarded the victim N10 million as damages, two DSS DGs refused to pay the victim.

    Instead, they appealed the judgment.

    In May, the new DSS boss not only paid the businessman the N10 million awarded by the court, but he also added another N10 million and free lifetime medical services for the victim.

    The DG has promised to speedily review the case of wrongfully detained persons in the DSS custody brought to his notice, saying he wouldn’t mind the source of the information so long as it yields results.

  • JUST IN: Two soldiers killed in IPOB/ESN attack in Imo, says Army

    JUST IN: Two soldiers killed in IPOB/ESN attack in Imo, says Army

    The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of two soldiers following an attack by operatives of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the armed wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    The incident occurred on Friday in Osina, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State.

    In a statement released on Saturday, the Army disclosed that troops from the 34 Artillery Brigade were returning from a routine patrol when they responded to a distress call about an attack on the Osina community by IPOB/ESN operatives.

    According to the Army, its troops engaged the “terrorists” with superior firepower, forcing them to retreat in disarray.

    While the Army did not specify the number of casualties on the side of the attackers, it confirmed the loss of two soldiers and reported that weapons were stolen during the clash.

    The Army described IPOB and its armed wing as “dissidents” and reiterated its commitment to restoring peace and security in the South-East region.

    It stated, “Unfortunately, two security agents had been killed in action and one other missing in action and their weapons, an AK 47 Rifle and a Tear Gas Launcher were carted away by the terrorists.”

    The statement noted that the corpses of the slain agents had been recovered, and the troops had proceeded in pursuit of the fleeing “terrorists”.

    The statement added, “Contact was again made with the criminal IPOB/ESN elements at Nkwachi Community and in the firefight that ensued, one of the dissidents was neutralised while others who could not withstand the troop’s fire power ran into the nearby forest. One (1) AK-47 rifle with a fully loaded magazine was recovered.

    “The unrelenting troops continued to pursue the remnant of the criminals deep into Umalouma forest where a heavy firefight further broke out. The dissidents finally abandoned their weapons due to troops’ superior fire power and scampered into the thickly forested area with severe gunshot injuries. An additional five (4) Ak – 47 rifles, one (1) Fabrique Nationale Rifle and five (2) Magazines were recovered. A total of six (5) AK 47 Rifles and a Tear Gas Launcher were recovered.

    “Further exploitation is ongoing as troops will continue to trail the injured terrorists and smoke them out of their hideouts and places of treatment. We urge all IPOB/ESN irredentists and other criminal elements hiding in the bushes to surrender to the nearest troops’ location or meet their waterloo as troops of the Brigade will continue to ensure that Imolites celebrate the Yuletide Season in peace without fear or intimidation.

    Read Also: Army inaugurates home ownership project in Abuja

    “The army in the statement appealed to the people of Imo State to continue to support the military by giving them timely intelligence on the hideouts and movements of the “terrorists to enable us rid the state of all criminality.”

    It was however gathered that five persons including a police officer lost their lives in a crossfire.

    The victims were reportedly shot dead on the road, with their bodies left in a pool of blood. A video of the incident, which has gone viral, shows the devastating aftermath of the attack.

    According to eyewitnesses the gunmen stormed the community and started shooting sporadically with the bullets hitting passersby including  a police officer said to be standing near the road.

    “The unknown gunmen have killed five people including a police officer who was standing on the road side,” said an eyewitness. “I saw people running in all directions, screaming and crying. It was like a war zone.”

  • Troops neutralise IPOB/ESN commander, 3 others in Imo

    Troops neutralise IPOB/ESN commander, 3 others in Imo

    Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation ‘UDO KA’ have neutralised four members of the  proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), including a commander of the group’s armed Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Imo.

    Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, spokesman for Task Force, said in a statement yesterday in Enugu that the troops, based on intelligence, conducted special clearance operation on Monday in Udda, Ihittukwa and Orsumoghu communities in Orsu Local Government Area of the state.

    Read Also: IGP’s U-turn on state police

    According to him, the troops dominated and captured the notorious stronghold of the IPOB/ESN at Mother Valley despite attempts by the criminal elements to detonate Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to stop the advancing troops.

  • One killed, others injured in Police, IPOB/ESN clash

    One killed, others injured in Police, IPOB/ESN clash

    Imo State Police Command said its operatives have killed a commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/ Eastern Security Network (ESN) and injured others in a gun duel at their hideout at Umuogu Amuzu in Aboh Mbaise Local Government. 

    The suspect, who was not named, was said to be second in command to a deadly kingpin, Ebube Virus.

    A statement yesterday by the police spokesman, Henry Okoye, said the neutralised IPOB/ESN commander and fleeing bandits were allegedly involved in the killing of the DPO of Ahiazu Mbaise.

    The statement said the bandits were responsible for most of the dastardly acts committed along the Mbaise axis.

    Okoye said operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad led by CSP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, on Monday, stormed the hideout of a deadly IPOB/ESN terrorist syndicate led by Ebube Virus and Ishaka, at Umuogu Amuzu in Aboh-Mbaise Local Government and dislodged the terrorists.

    Read Also; Makinde, Mbah, Obaseki, Aliyu present Appropriation Bills to Assemblies

    “In the process, the second in command to Ebube Virus, who is famous on the command’s wanted list due to his nefarious activities in Mbaise axis was neutralised in a fierce gunfight that ensued between the terrorists and the combat-ready police operatives.”

     He said others escaped with gunshot injuries, adding that “one AK 47 rifle loaded with 19 rounds of live ammunition was recovered from the neutralised terrorist.”

    He said efforts were on to apprehend other fleeing suspects and make them face the full wrath of the law.

     He appealed to owners of hospitals and first-aid outlets to report any person seen treating gunshot injuries to the nearest police station or via 08034773600 or 08098880197.