Army arrests five suspects over killing of police officer
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- The Nigerian Army arrested five suspects, including an IPOB/ESN kingpin, in Ebonyi State.
- The suspects are linked to the killing of a police officer and the theft of two AK-47 rifles in Delta State.
- The Army stated the group relocated to Ebonyi after security operations intensified in Delta, and further interrogation is underway.
In a significant counter-terrorism operation, troops of the Nigerian Army have successfully apprehended five suspects, including a notorious IPOB/ESN kingpin identified as โCalamity,โ in Ebonyi State. This operation, conducted under credible intelligence, targeted a criminal network responsible for violent attacks against security personnel, demonstrating the Army's relentless pursuit of justice and peace across the nation.
Troops of Sector 2, Operation UDO KA, acting on credible intelligence, successfully arrested a notorious IPOB/ESN kingpin known as โCalamityโ alongside four other suspects during a raid on their hideout.
The arrested individuals are allegedly connected to a brutal attack on police officers in Delta State on February 26, 2026, which resulted in the death of one officer and the injury of another. Crucially, two AK-47 rifles were carted away during this incident, highlighting the dangerous arsenal at the disposal of these criminal elements. The Army's statement indicates that the group had relocated to Ebonyi State to establish a new base after facing intensified security operations in Delta, underscoring the dynamic nature of these threats and the need for constant vigilance.
The suspects were linked to the attack in Delta State where a police officer was killed and another injured, with two AK-47 rifles carted away by the assailants.
This successful raid, part of Operation Eastern Sanity, underscores the Nigerian Army's unwavering commitment to neutralizing terrorist threats and restoring peace. The recovery of mobile phones and a motorcycle believed to be used by the group, along with the ongoing interrogation of the suspects, aims to dismantle the wider network of collaborators and recover further weapons. The Nigerian Armed Forces remain dedicated to protecting law-abiding citizens and ensuring that those who perpetrate violence are brought to justice, reaffirming their resolve to maintain internal security.
Following intensified security operations in Delta State, the suspects fled and established a new criminal camp in Ebonyi State to continue their activities.
Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.