Troops of Sector 2, Operation UDO KA, operating under Operation Eastern Sanity, have arrested a suspected Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) kingpin, popularly known as “Calamity,” along with four others during a raid in Ebonyi State.
The operation was carried out in the early hours of April 21, 2026, at a hideout in Nwofe, Izzi Local Government Area, following credible intelligence linking the suspects to criminal activities.
According to the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, the arrested kingpin and his group were allegedly responsible for the killing of a police officer and the injury of another during an attack at Okuku-Igbo in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State on February 26, 2026. The attackers reportedly made away with two AK-47 rifles during the incident.
Military sources revealed that the suspects relocated to Ebonyi State after increased security pressure in Delta State, where they established a new base to continue their operations.
Troops, acting on actionable intelligence, stormed the hideout and apprehended five suspects, including the alleged commander and four key members of the group.
Items recovered from the suspects include a black handbag containing five mobile phones, several keys, and a black Kcsanya motorcycle.
The suspects are currently in custody and undergoing further investigation, as efforts continue to dismantle the wider network and recover additional weapons.
The military said the operation highlights the commitment of the Armed Forces, in collaboration with other security agencies, to tackling criminal elements, restoring peace, and ensuring the safety of citizens. It also urged members of the public to continue providing timely information to support ongoing security operations.
