Troops have apprehended a commander of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate the Eastern Security Network (ESN) Mr. Uchechukwu Akpa and three others at their hideout at Christ the King Catholic Church Ameta Mgbowo in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
This was done following a credible intelligence report on Wednesday 13 December 2023, by troops of Sector 1 Exercise GOLDEN DAWN III in conjunction with other security agencies.
The arrest was made possible during a raid operation of their hideout while holding a meeting to take over the leadership of IPOB/ESN Auto Pilot Command Enugu State Chapter from apprehended former Commander *Chocho* and also planning to carry out attacks on their troops.
During the raid, Mr Uchechukwu Akpa sustained a gunshot wound while trying to escape. Others arrested are; Udoka Anthony Ude, Ikechukwu Ulanta, and Ezennaya Udeigewere. While quantity 4 of live cartridges were recovered.
It could be recalled that Mr Uchechukwu Akpa was the Second in Command to Chocho a notorious IPOB/ESN criminal who earlier escaped to Benue State due to the intensity of his operations and was recently arrested. The arrested criminals are presently in custody for further exploitation.
In a follow-up raid carried out in the early hours of today, Thursday 14 December 2023 at another hideout in Nenwe, Agwu Local Government Area of Enugu State, the following were recovered, One AK 47 Rifle, Two AK 47 Magazine, 25 rounds of 7.62mm NATO special ammunition and one Pump action rifle.