By Mick Oseji Asaba
Troops under Sector 2 of Operation UDO KA have arrested a suspected Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) kingpin, popularly known as “Calamity,” along with four associates during a pre-dawn raid in Ebonyi State.
The operation, part of the ongoing Operation Eastern Sanity, was carried out in Nwofe, Izzi Local Government Area, in the early hours of Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Military sources said the raid followed credible intelligence linking the suspects to the killing of a police officer and the wounding of another during operation at Ekuku-Igbo in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State on February 26, 2026.
The attackers were also reported to have made away with two AK-47 rifles.
According to the military, “Calamity” and his group fled Delta State amid intensified security pressure and relocated to Ebonyi, where they established a new hideout to continue their activities.
“Acting on actionable intelligence, troops stormed the camp and apprehended five suspects, including the commander, ‘Calamity,’ and four other key members of the IPOB/ESN network,” a statement from the Army said.
Items recovered at the scene included a black handbag containing five mobile phones and several keys, as well as a black Kcsanya motorcycle believed to have been used for operations.
The suspects are currently in custody and undergoing further investigation as security agencies work to dismantle the broader criminal network and recover additional weapons.
The Nigerian Army said the arrest highlights ongoing efforts by the Armed Forces, in collaboration with other security agencies, to combat violent threats and restore stability in the South-East and surrounding regions.
Authorities also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support security operations.
