Police Arrest Alleged IPOB Sub-Commander, Four Others Over Killings in Imo

Kingsley Ohens reporting For Urbanscoopnews

Owerri, Nigeria — The Imo State Police Command has announced the arrest of a suspected sub-commander of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in connection with multiple killings and other violent crimes in the state.

The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Chinonso Ugochukwu, popularly known as “Bob Adam,” was apprehended alongside four others. Police allege that the group is linked to the murder of a cleric, Chima Jeremiah, and a woman identified as Ugochi Nwabueze in Orsu Obodo, located in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.

The Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Audu Bosso, disclosed the arrests on Tuesday during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Owerri. He said the arrests were part of major operational breakthroughs recorded by the Command within the past week.
According to Bosso, preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects were involved in a series of violent crimes, including kidnapping, terrorism, and armed robbery, allegedly carried out under the banner of the banned IPOB/ESN group.

“The suspects provided actionable intelligence that led to the discovery and exhumation of corpses buried in shallow graves,” Bosso said. He added that the remains are believed to include those of the slain cleric and the female victim.

Police authorities further disclosed that a coordinated, intelligence-led operation is ongoing to rescue additional kidnapped victims believed to be held by criminal elements in the area.

In a related development, another suspect identified as Chinaemerem Ogamba from Ubaheze Omoma in Oru-East Local Government Area was also arrested. Police said he allegedly confessed to being a member of the proscribed IPOB/ESN groups.

Bosso stated that in total, 15 suspects were arrested in various operations across the state over the past week. The arrests are connected to offences including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, terrorism linked to IPOB/ESN, child trafficking, murder, and theft.

The police also reported the successful rescue of one kidnapped victim and a stolen child, both of whom have since been reunited with their families.

The Imo State Police Command reiterated its commitment to restoring security in the state and urged residents to continue providing credible information to assist ongoing operations.

IPOB has been proscribed by the Nigerian government since 2017, following escalating tensions and violent incidents in parts of the Southeast. The group has repeatedly denied involvement in criminal activities attributed to it.

Investigations into the latest arrests are ongoing, and the suspects are expected to be charged to court upon conclusion of police inquiries.