ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Lance Corporal Nwangwu Chiwendu, a 34-year-old Nigerian Army deserter, has been arrested at Amahohuru Nguru in Aboh Mbaise Local government Area of Imo State for alleged terrorism.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, CSP Michael Abattam, said Chiwendu popularly known as Onye-army, was arrested by operatives of the Imo State Police Command at his father’s funeral on 23 December, in his home town in Aboh Mbaise after diligent gathering of both credible and technical intelligence.
He added that the suspected vicious terrorist is a commander and member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militia arm, Eastern Security Network, (ESN).
Abattam noted that Chiwendu has since confessed to be behind the killing of two INEC staff at Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State in April 2022.
Also, the suspect is said to have spearheaded the operation that led to the killing of former presidential aide, Ahmed Gulak, in May 2021 as well as orchestrated the kidnap of two expatriates along Okigwe Road two weeks ago.
He confessed further to involved in high-level killings, kidnapping, and burning of INEC offices and government facilities across the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer said the suspect became the Operational Commander and Chief Trainer of the militia arm of the proscribed group and its security wing, ESN, where he claimed to have trained over 1,000 members in weaponry and terror attack in their camp located in Ogbotoukwu, a forest, in Obowo Local Government Area of the state.
He is said to have allegedly killed the Labour Party Senatorial candidate, burning of his house and Jeep, and also led his gang members including one Okechukwu Duru and others, to kidnap one Jude Nwahiri on 4 November, 2021, collected N21 million as ransom after killing four persons in the residence of the victim at Amaohuru Nguru in Aboh Mbaise LGA.
Police authorities further accused the suspect of being behind the murder of the traditional ruler of Amaohuru Nguru Aboh Mbaise LGA, Eze Anthony Anyanwu on December 10, 2021 as well as the murder of a native doctor in Amaohuru Nguru, Uzodimma Ahaiwe.
Other suspects include the murder of one Ugochukwu Olewuike aka Taco; the youth leader of Amaohuru Nguru Aboh Mbaise LGA Imo State; the murder of one Krubo surname unknown native of Obohia in Ahiazu Mbaise; the killing of one Police Inspector and Police Sergeant at Aboh Mbaise Police Station the day his terrorist gang attacked and burnt the police station, among several other operations.
Items recovered from the suspect include five Pump Action guns; two cut-to-size double barrel guns; four locally made pistols; 50 rounds of live cartridges; nine locally made hand grenades; ESN regalia and various charms and rings.