The Nigerian Army authorities on Wednesday night announced the arrest of one Awurum Eze, who is the second-in-command to the late leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Commander Ikonso.
Eze was arrested in Aba, the capital of Abia State, according to the statement signed by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Mohanned Yerima. The statement was titled ‘Security Forces Arrest Another IPOB/ESN Terrorists’ Henchman’.
Yerima said 48-year-old Eze, a native of Umoneke Nta, Isiala-Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, was also a member of IPOB’s security outfit, Eastern Security Network.
The Army said Eze had on May 4, 2021, escaped when operatives of the Intelligence Response Team stormed his village house in Isiala Mbano where he was hiding.
“Intensive manhunt was thereafter launched towards tracing and arresting him. He was eventually apprehended on Wednesday, 12 May 2022, in Aba after weeks of unrelenting follow-ups by operatives.
“Awurum Eze is one of the main sponsors of the numerous killings in Imo State and has been on the wanted list of security agents for more than 3 months. Many of the arrested IPOB/ESN terrorists had earlier mentioned him as their key sponsor, mastermind and Second in Command to late Ikonso.
“According to them, amongst all their leaders in Imo State, only Ikonso and Awurum have direct communication link with Nnamdi Kanu. He can be seen in several photographs posing with the fugitive terrorist leader, Nnamdi Kanu,” the statement partly read.
The statement also added that investigation by the combined team of security operatives would continue.
