The Periscope reporter
– The 48-year-old man is said to be one of the few members that maintain direct link with the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu
– Eze is believed to have masterminded the recent killings in Imo state
– Only the late Ikonso and Awurum have direct communication link with Nnamdi Kanu
– X-ESN member urges Igbo leaders to close all security gaps, to do their best to flush out evil elements in the region for the restoration of the Kanu-a-Zated Igbo Kwenu.
– Killing of Ikonso makes most IPOBites to reconsider their heineous membership
The second-in-command to the late Ikonso, the neutralised commander of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN), has been arrested.
The Nation reports that the director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, disclosed this in a statement.
Awurum Eze, a native of Umoneke Nta, Isiala-Mbano LGA, Imo state, was apprehended on Wednesday, May 12, in Aba, Abia state.
The 48-year-old man’s arrest came about a week after security operatives stormed his village house in Isiala Mbano where he was hiding and a manhunt was thereafter launched to trace him.
According to Sahara Reporters, he is one of the wanted leaders of ESN and his name has been popping up during confessions by many arrested IPOB /ESN.
The statement partly read:
“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.”
Yerima disclosed that the arrested members said only the late Ikonso and Awurum have direct communication link with Nnamdi Kanu.
Media have earlier reported the death of Ikonso considered as the commander of the IPOB militia.
He was among seven members of the group who were killed on Saturday, April 24, in Awomama Village, Oru East local government area of Imo state when security operatives stormed the operational headquarters of the ESN.
A former member of the ESN group had called on Igbo leaders to close all security gaps and do their best to flush out evil elements in the region.
Lauretta Onochie, a presidential media aide, released a personal chat with the man whose identity she did not disclose.
The former militant admitted to Onochie that the killing of Commander Ikonso made him and his colleagues reconsider their membership of the terrorist body.
Linking insurgency to conspiracy against her led government, the All Progressives Congress (APC) reiterated that she would not close her eyes, ignoring insurgency to reduce Imo state into anarchy, savagery and barbarism.
APC has described the recent developments in the state as gruesome and dangerous.