The Nigerian Army have said that Awurum Eze identified as the second-in-command to the slain commander of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) Ikonso has been arrested.
The ESN is a security arm of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) launched last December to tackle herdsmen crisis in the south-east.
Mr Eze, 48, was arrested on Wednesday in Aba, Abia State, according to a statement by army spokesman Mohammed Yerima.
“The 48 years old Awurum Eze, a native of Umoneke Nta, Isiala-Mbano LGA, Imo State, 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 read.
“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.”
The statement further said many arrested IPOB members said that among their leaders in Imo, “only Ikonso and Awurum have direct communication link with Nnamdi Kanu”.
