Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Troops of Sector One of the Joint Task Force South-East, code-named “Operation UDO KA II” and Department of State Services Enugu State Command have apprehended an escapee of Jos jail break during a raid on IPOB/ESN camp in Enugu State.
This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Enugu by Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, for the Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA II.
Unuakhalu said that the escapee was apprehended during a raid operation to suspected Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliates Eastern Security Network (ESN) hideout in Ugbakwa village in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.
“During the raid operations, troops apprehended one Mr Chimezie Chukwu alias Biggi an escapee of Jos Prison Break known to be a drug peddler, gunrunner and also specialised in armed robbery.
“Items recovered from him include: six mobile phones, three mobile phones batteries, one Moniepoint POS and ATM card, two packs of substances suspected to be cannabis and the sum of N107,280 only.
“The suspect and recovered items are in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation,” he said.
Similarly, troops of Sector 4 deployed at Forward Operational Base in Okigwe, Imo while on checkpoint duties spotted an identified IPOB/ESN member on a motorcycle.
According to the army spokesman, the identified IPOB/ESN member, when ordered by the troops to halt and alight from the motorcycle, took to his heels in order to escape arrest.
“All efforts to stop him proved abortive, forcing the troops to open fire and neutralise the suspect.
“Items recovered from him are two live rounds of 7.62mm Special, One ITEL Mobile phone, one small bag containing charms, the sum of N2,300 only and One Qlink motorcycle,” he said.
Additionally, the army spokesman said that troops of Sector 5 of Operation UDO KA II acting on credible intelligence also conducted a raid operation on suspected IPOB/ESN camps at Ogbunka in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra.
He said that on arrival, the camp was already abandoned by the terrorist group.
He said that troops, however, recovered three abandoned Sport Utility Vehicles which are two Toyota Highlander and One Mercedes Benz ML 350, which efforts are ongoing to identify the owners of the vehicles.
“Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA II, therefore, call on the law abiding and good citizens of the South-East region not to relent in providing timely, credible and reliable information that will assist in ending this menace in the region.
“Operation UDO KA II will continue combating crime and criminality in accordance with the extant rules and regulations guiding its operations,” he added.
