Security Forces Kill Five IPOB Fighters, Kidnappers in Separate Shootouts
In a series of coordinated operations, Nigerian security forces have neutralized five suspected members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militant wing of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in Imo State. Additionally, four suspected kidnappers were killed in Kebbi State, while one was captured with fatal injuries, according to police authorities.
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Crackdown on ESN Operatives in Imo State
The spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force, Assistant Commissioner of Police Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed the operations in a statement on Sunday, emphasizing the force’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks threatening national security.
According to Mr. Adejobi, on February 8, a combined team of security operatives raided a criminal hideout situated between Ezioha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area and Umuele, Umuaka in Njaba Local Government Area, both in Imo State. During the raid, two suspected ESN commanders were killed, and their camp was destroyed.
The operatives recovered a cache of arms, including seven AK-47 rifles, 13 pump-action guns, and hundreds of rounds of live ammunition, further highlighting the scale of the group’s armament.
A follow-up operation on February 9 led security forces to Nkwukwo Forest in Mbaitoli, which borders the Ubachima Forest in Awomama, Oru West Local Government Area. During an exchange of gunfire, three additional ESN operatives were killed. Law enforcement agents seized two AK-47 rifles loaded with 36 rounds of ammunition, a pump-action gun, a cutlass, four motorcycles, and various charms allegedly used for fortification.
Kidnappers Neutralized in Kebbi State
In another operation in Kebbi State, police operatives confronted a gang of suspected kidnappers who had abducted a 60-year-old man, Umaru Bawa, from Gobiraje village in Suru Local Government Area.
Acting on intelligence, security forces tracked the kidnappers to Tundafari Forest in the Dakingari axis of the state. A gunfight ensued, resulting in the death of four suspected kidnappers and the arrest of another, who sustained fatal injuries. The abducted victim was successfully rescued unharmed.
Significantly, police recovered N3 million in ransom money that had already been paid to the kidnappers, underscoring the financial motivations of criminal enterprises operating in the region.
Police Chief Calls for Vigilance
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun commended the operatives for their efforts, reiterating the force’s unwavering commitment to maintaining law and order.
“These operations not only reflect our dedication to public safety but also our determination to root out criminal elements threatening national security,” Mr. Adejobi said.
The police chief further urged Nigerians to actively support security efforts through intelligence sharing, community engagement, and the timely reporting of suspicious activities.
Growing Insecurity Amid Crackdown
While these operations demonstrate the capability of Nigeria’s security forces, they also raise concerns about the ongoing instability in the South-east and North-west regions. IPOB and its militant wing, ESN, have been linked to violent clashes with security agencies, while kidnapping for ransom remains a persistent issue in northern Nigeria.
The government’s reliance on military-style crackdowns, rather than addressing underlying socio-political grievances, continues to fuel tensions. The latest operations may temporarily weaken these groups, but without broader security reforms and community trust-building measures, the cycle of violence is unlikely to subside.
As Nigeria’s security forces intensify their crackdown, the question remains: will these operations bring lasting peace, or will they further entrench resistance and escalate violence?
Reference
Security Forces Kill Five IPOB Fighters, Kidnappers in Separate Shootouts