Security Forces Arrest Suspected IPOB Financier

Security forces yesterday said they had arrested Mr. Awurum Eze, an alleged second-in- command to late Ikonso, the executed leader of the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

He was arrested in Aba, Abia State.

A statement signed by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Mohammed Yerima, said the 48-year-old Awurum Eze, a native of

Umoneke Nta, Isiala-Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, had, on May 4, 2021, escaped when operatives of Intelligence Response Team (IRT) stormed his village house in Isiala Mbano where he was hiding.

It said intensive manhunt was thereafter launched towards tracing and arresting him.

“He was eventually apprehended on Wednesday, May 12, 2022, in Aba after weeks of unrelenting followups 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,” it said.

The statement said many of the arrested IPOB /ESN terrorists had earlier mentioned him as their key sponsor, mastermind and second-incommand to the late Ikonso.

According to them, among “all their leaders in Imo State, only Ikonso and Awurum have direct communication link with the leader of IPOB, 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”