Troops Apprehend Alleged IPOB-ESN Kingpin 'Calamity' and Four Associates in Connection with Delta Police Officer Killing
In a significant security operation, troops from Operation Udo Ka have successfully arrested an alleged kingpin of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its Eastern Security Network (ESN), popularly referred to as "Calamity", along with four other individuals. This arrest is directly linked to the tragic killing of a police officer in Delta State, marking a crucial breakthrough in ongoing efforts to combat criminal activities in the region.
Details of the Arrest and Operation
The suspects were captured during a meticulously planned raid on a terrorist hideout located in Nwofe, within the Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. According to Lt-Col Olabisi Ayeni, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, the operation was conducted in the early hours of Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Ayeni emphasized that the arrests were based on credible intelligence, which firmly connected Calamity and his associates to a violent incident on February 26, 2026.
During this attack, which occurred in Okuku-Igbo, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, a police officer was killed and another was injured. The assailants also made off with two AK-47 rifles following the assault. In an attempt to evade law enforcement, Calamity and his group relocated to Ebonyi State, where they established a new criminal camp to continue their illicit operations.
Recovery of Evidence and Ongoing Investigations
Acting on actionable intelligence, the troops stormed the hideout and apprehended the five suspects, including the commander, Calamity, and four other key members of IPOB-ESN. At the time of the arrest, Calamity was found in possession of a black handbag containing five mobile phones and numerous keys. Additional exhibits recovered from the scene included a black motorcycle, which may provide further clues in the investigation.
Lt-Col Ayeni stated that the suspects are currently in custody and undergoing thorough interrogation. The primary objectives of this further investigation are to dismantle the wider network of criminal collaborators associated with the group and to recover other weapons that may have been hidden by the suspects. This operation underscores the Nigerian military's commitment to addressing security challenges and bringing perpetrators of violence to justice.
The arrest highlights the ongoing tensions and security operations in southeastern Nigeria, where groups like IPOB-ESN have been involved in various incidents. Authorities continue to urge the public to provide information that can aid in similar operations, as part of broader efforts to enhance safety and stability in the region.
