Nigerian security forces nab Awurum Eze, another wanted IPOB leader in South-East

Awurum Eze, the second in command to the late IPOB/ESN militant leader Ikonso, has been arrested by security operatives in Aba, Abia State.

This is contained in a statement by spokesman for the Nigerian Army, Mohammed Yarima.

The 48-year old, 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.

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.

Mr 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. Investigation by the combined team of security operatives continues.

Mohammed Yerima

Brigadier General

Director Army Public Relations