Security agencies arrest ‘mastermind’ of Imo killings

*Arrested man not ESN Deputy Commander, Nigerian Army Lied, says Nnamdi Kanu

The Nigerian Army in conjunction with other security agencies said they have arrested the mastermind of killings in Imo State, one Awurum Eze and the Second in Command to the former Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN), leader Ikonso.

A statement by Army spokesperson, Brig.-Gen. Mohammad Yerima on Wednesday said, 48-year-old Eze, a native of Umoneke Nta, Isiala-Mbano LGA, Imo State was arrested by security operatives in Aba, Abia state.

Yerima said he had on the 4th of May, 2021 escaped when operatives of Intelligence Response Team (IRT) stormed his village house in Isiala Mbano where he was hiding.

The statement said: “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,” Yerima said.

However, in a swift response, leader of the outlawed IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu described the news as a lie and cheap propaganda.

He said the man arrested by the Nigerian Army was too old to be recruited into the ESN, let alone Ikonso’s deputy.

Kanu in a statement by IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, said Awurum was handed over to the Nigerian forces as an ESN Commander after a misunderstanding with a traditional ruler.

“The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), ably led by our great leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, read with utter amusement, media reports of claims by the Nigeria Army that it arrested Ikonso’s Second in Command in Aba.

This is a blatant lie and cheap propaganda to lay false claims to imaginary military prowess.

“The said man is not an operative of ESN. Such a man is too old to be recruited into ESN, let alone be Ikonso’s Second in Command.

“That you ambushed Ikonso with the help of some traitors did not mean you have crushed ESN. Stop claiming what you have not done in your bid to win public accolades.

If you arrest or kill Ikonso’s second in Command we will not hesitate to admit it just the same way we did not deny the murder of Ikonso.

“We are not like Nigeria that lives in propaganda; we tell the truth always. So, stop harassing innocent Biafrans in the name of a manhunt for ESN personnel.

“Our background check revealed that the said man had issues with his traditional ruler who gave his contact to the security agents alleging that he belongs to ESN.

He is not our own.

“We are assuring them that whatever they do they cannot win ESN in this fight for freedom. The secret killing and abduction can never make IPOB change our resolve.”