Troops of Sector 2, Operation UDO KA, have arrested a suspected Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) commander known as “Calamity,” along with four other suspects, during a raid on a hideout in Ebonyi State.
The arrest was carried out in the early hours of Tuesday, as part of the ongoing Operation Eastern Sanity, a military campaign aimed at curbing violent activities and restoring security across the South East and adjoining regions.
According to a statement by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Col. Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, the operation followed credible intelligence linking the suspects to a February 26 attack in Okuku-Igbo, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.
During that incident, gunmen reportedly killed a police officer, injured another, and made away with two AK-47 rifles.
The military disclosed that the suspect and his group fled Delta State amid intensified security pressure and relocated to Nwofe in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, where they allegedly established a new base to continue their operations.
“Acting on actionable intelligence, troops stormed the hideout and apprehended five suspects, including the commander known as ‘Calamity,’” the statement said.
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Items recovered during the raid include a black handbag containing five mobile phones, several keys, and a black Kcsanya motorcycle believed to have been used by the group.
The suspects are currently in custody and undergoing further investigation as security agencies intensify efforts to dismantle the network and recover additional weapons.
The Nigerian Army said the operation highlights its ongoing commitment, alongside other security agencies, to neutralise threats and ensure the safety of citizens.
The army also urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to support security operations in the region.
Operation Eastern Sanity is one of several coordinated military efforts targeting armed groups and criminal networks in Nigeria’s South East and surrounding areas.
