Troops of the 63 Brigade Nigerian Army and Sector 1 of the Joint Task Force South-South (JTF SS) Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) have conducted a series of successful raids on suspected hideouts of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Delta State.
The week-long operation, which ran from July 26 to August 1, 2025, targeted criminal enclaves in the Abacha Camp and Fulani Camp areas of Okpanam, located in the Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state.
According to a press statement by Captain Iliyasu Bawa Rijau, Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations for 63 Brigade, the intelligence-led raids led to the arrest of 13 suspects. The individuals were subsequently handed over to the 63 Military Intelligence Regiment (MIR) for detailed profiling.
Following the profiling exercise, four of the arrested individuals were confirmed to be active collaborators of the IPOB/ESN network. They have been identified as Hossanah John, Obassey Maduabichi, Nwamini Nduka, and Aguyi Uchenna. These suspects are to be transferred to higher military authorities for further investigation and necessary action.
The remaining nine individuals were found to have no proven links to the proscribed group and are set to be released to their families upon the provision of sureties.
Commander of 63 Brigade and Sector 1 JTF OPDS, Brigadier General M.A. Shonibare, praised the professionalism and dedication of the troops involved in the operation. He reiterated the Nigerian Army’s commitment to ensuring lasting peace and security in Delta State and the entire South-South region.
He also called on residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible information to aid the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the region.
