The Nigeria Police Force has announced the dismantling of an alleged Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network (ESN) enclave in Imo State, with the recovery of weapons, ammunition, surveillance drones, and other items during a security operation.
According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Okon Placid, operatives of the Imo State Police Command carried out the operation on April 23, 2026, at a suspected hideout located in Nguru, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area.
The police said the operation was intelligence-led and followed information allegedly obtained from the confession of a suspected high-ranking IPOB/ESN commander identified as Ebube Uchenna Mmaduakolam.
During the raid, three suspects were arrested and are currently in police custody assisting investigators with information relating to the group’s operations, logistics network, and personnel structure.
Security operatives reportedly recovered two General-Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), 3,115 rounds of GPMG ammunition, one AK-47 rifle, a pump-action shotgun, several surveillance drones, and Biafra currency in different denominations.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, commended the officers involved in the operation for what he described as their professionalism, tactical precision, and bravery.
According to the police leadership, the seizure of the weapons and ammunition represents a significant setback to the operational capacity of the alleged extremist network in the South-East region.
The police reiterated their commitment to combating violent extremism, maintaining public safety, and upholding the rule of law across the country.
