Troops of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army and the Joint Task Force South-East have arrested a suspected member of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, during clearance operations in Imo State.
The development was disclosed in an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Abuja.
According to the report, the suspect, Onyebuchi Dara, 28, from Etinasa community in Orsu Local Government Area, was apprehended at Ehioma Junction following credible intelligence linking him to earlier attacks on security personnel.
The report noted that the suspect had previously benefited from an amnesty programme but later went into hiding after allegedly fearing reprisals from a suspected armed group leader identified as “Gentle the Yahoo.”
Preliminary interrogation reportedly revealed that the suspect admitted being present during the 2022 killing of two soldiers, retired Master Warrant Officer Linus Musa and Private Gloria Matthew, in the Ubaha–Orsu area.
He is currently in custody as investigations continue to track other suspects and dismantle remaining criminal cells in the area.
In a related development, troops conducting operations along the Akwu–Udah axis uncovered five Improvised Explosive Devices in a location said to have been abandoned for years. The explosives were safely neutralised by Explosive Ordnance Disposal experts, averting potential danger to both security personnel and civilians.
Security operatives also recovered military and vigilante uniforms, boots, and other items believed to have been used for impersonation and operational activities by criminal elements.
The report added that operations in the area are ongoing as part of sustained efforts to degrade hostile networks and restore security across the South-East region.
