The Nigeria Police Force says it has dismantled a suspected IPOB/ESN hideout in Imo State and recovered a cache of arms, ammunition, and surveillance equipment during an intelligence-led operation.
Operatives of the Imo State Police Command carried out the raid on April 23, 2026, at Nguru in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, acting on information obtained from a confessional statement by a high-ranking IPOB/ESN commander, Ebube Uchenna Mmaduakolam, also known as “Ebube Virus.”
Three suspects were arrested at the scene and are currently in custody, providing investigators with details on the group’s logistics, personnel structure, and planned operations.
A search of the enclave yielded two General-Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), 3,115 rounds of GPMG ammunition, one AK-47 assault rifle, one pump-action shotgun, multiple surveillance drones, and Biafra currency in various denominations.
The Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu commended the officers for their courage, professionalism, and tactical precision during the operation.
He said the seizure of the arsenal significantly weakens the operational capacity of the IPOB/ESN network in the South-East and marks a major blow to its campaign of violence.
The Force reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety of all Nigerians.
