Ndudi Anyim
A combined team of security operatives have arrested one Awurum Eze, the second-in-command to the neutralised IPOB/ESN commander, Ikonson, who was recently killed by operatives.
The 48-year-old Eze was arrested in Aba, Abia State on Wednesday.
According to the Spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, the suspect is alleged to be behind killings in Imo State.
“The 48 years old Awurum Eze, a native of Umoneke Nta, Isiala-Mbano LGA, Imo State, had on May 4, 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, May 12, 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 three months,” he said.
Yerima added that many of the arrested IPOB/ESN terrorists had earlier mentioned Eze as their key sponsor, mastermind and Second-in-Command to late Ikonson.
“According to them, amongst all their leaders in Imo State, only Ikonson 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,” the Army spokesperson stated.