By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Nigeria Defence Headquarters has announced its arrest of some of persons identified with the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) organization in a bid to rid the country of criminals and terrorists.
While giving details about its exploits, the military headquarters noted that its most recent achievement was the arrest of a terrorist leader identified as Pius Iguh.
According to Military High Command, Iguh is the founding father of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafran, IPOB and its security arms, the Eastern Security Network, ESN.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major Gen Edward Buba, announced this in Abuja while updating Defence Correspondents on the Military operations by the Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security Agencies at the various theatres of operations across the Federation on Thursday.
He said that the suspect was picked up at a location in Imo State during a sting operation conducted by the troops of Forward Base Operation FOB operating in the South East Theatre
“Troops continue to deepen operational successes across the various theatres of operation. For instance, in the South East theatre, troops at FOB Orsu conducted a sting operation that culminated in the arrest of an IPOB terrorist leader.
“The arrested terrorist leader, identified as Pius Iguh, is a founding father of ESN group in Orsu general area of Imo State” Buba stated
Gen Buba stated that similarly, troops at FOB Amaruku conducted a raid that resulted in the arrest of another IPOB terrorist commander identified as Emmanuel Onwugu, who was arrested in Mbano Local Government Area of Abia State.
He further added that troops and security forces in a combined sting operation also arrested a notorious cult leader named Ifeanyi Rock.
He explained that the suspect was arrested with 10 of his combatants in Arochukwu, Abia State.
The DDMO further disclosed that during the week under review, troops neutralised 140 and arrested 135 persons.
According to him, ” Troops also arrested 18 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 76 kidnapped hostages, while in the South, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of one billion seven hundred and fifty-one million eight hundred and eighty-six thousand five hundred and fifty Naira (N1,751,886,550.00) only.
“Moreover, troops recovered 241 assorted weapons and 3,254 assorted ammunition. The breakdown is as follows: 141 AK47 rifles, one PKT gun, 2 FN rifles, 17 fabricated rifles, 26 Dane guns, 13 pump action guns, 4 locally made pistols, one Barreta pistol, 2 bayonets, and 42 AK47 magazines.
‘Others are 2,016 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 970 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 33 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 76 rounds of 9mm ammo, 113 live cartridges, 2 Baofeng radios, 3 vehicles, 31 motorcycles, 18 mobile phones, and the sum of N79,052,150.00 and 19$ only, amongst other items.”
He added that the troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 33 crude oil cooking ovens, 19 dugout pits, 41 boats, 70 drums, 22 storage tanks, and 47 illegal refining sites.
Speaking on the development, Balab said, “Other items recovered include 13 speedboats, one tricycle, 4 motorcycles, and 3 vehicles, among others. Troops recovered 1,122,710 litres of stolen crude oil and 557,210 litres of illegally refined AGO.
“Overall, the military assures that it will defeat the terrorists on the battlefield and in their hiding places in order that the country can flourish again.”
He urged citizens to see themselves as the outstretched arm of the military and never to give terrorism any oxygen to thrive in the Country
He declared that the ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations of the armed forces have dealt significant blows to terrorist capabilities.
