ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Nigerian Army has announced the killing of a suspected IPOB/ESN kingpin, Chinemerem (aka “Bam Bam”), and the arrest of two notorious terrorists in Imo State.
The operations, conducted in collaboration with other security agencies, targeted IPOB hideouts in Onuimo and Okigwe Local Government Areas.
The troops recovered a substantial amount of weapons, ammunition, and IPOB/ESN paraphernalia, and destroyed the hideouts.
One of the operations was conducted at a suspected IPOB hideout in Ezeinyen Okwe Umucheke, a community in Onuimo Local Government Area of the state.
The operation was targeted at the suspected IPOB kingpin identified as Chinemerem, popularly known as “Bam Bam” in the community.
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“The operation led to the neutralisation of Chinemerem, as he attempted to reach for his weapon and the arrest of several of his accomplices.
“A substantial amount of weapons, ammunition, and IPOB/ESN paraphernalia were seized, and the hideout was subsequently destroyed”, the army said on X.
The statement said the troops subsequently intercepted other suspected IPOB/ESN members at another hideout in Ama Hausa in Okigwe Local Government Area of the state.
“Overpowered in the ensuing shootout, the (suspected) terrorists were forced to flee in disarray, abandoning a cache of ammunition and motorcycles,” it said.
Seventy-two rounds of 7.62 x 51mm NATO ammunition, four rounds of 7.62 mm (special), three rounds of 5.56mm, one FN rifle, a pair of military desert boots and one green beret were recovered from the hoodlums, according to the army.
In a subsequent operation in Orlu Local Government Area, the army arrested two more kingpins, Izuchukwu Emejuru (aka “Kingkong”) and Chibuzor Chikwe (aka “Onyema”), and recovered valuables stolen from the palace of the traditional ruler of Ogberuru.
The army’s statement confirmed the seizure of various weapons, including a semi-automatic pump-action gun, a locally made gun, and a pistol.
IPOB, a separatist group seeking an independent state of Biafra, has been linked to deadly attacks in the region.
The military’s operations aim to disrupt IPOB’s activities and restore peace to the area.
“The raid resulted in the arrest of these suspects and the confiscation of a variety of weapons, including a Semi-automatic pump-action gun, a locally made gun, and a pistol,” it said.