Troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Okigwe, Imo State, have arrested a suspected commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Chima Ejiofor Emmanuel, popularly known as “Morocco”.

Emmanuel was arrested on June 15 at Life Care Maternity Hospital in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State, where he was recuperating after appendicitis surgery.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

According to Onoja, preliminary investigations confirmed Emmanuel’s active membership in the outlawed IPOB group operating in the Okigwe axis.

“The suspect confessed to joining the group in 2025 and participating in its activities before withdrawing due to health challenges,” Onoja said.

The Defence spokesperson also revealed that troops of Operation UDO KA arrested a suspected kidnapper and IPOB logistics operative, Emeka Kalu Chiowa, during a raid at Afara Isuama in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on June 14.

He said preliminary findings linked the suspect to kidnapping activities and identified him as a key logistics supplier for IPOB and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

“The suspect is currently in custody and undergoing further investigation,” Onoja added.

Providing updates on operations across the southern region, Onoja said troops also dismantled parts of a kidnapping network in the South-South.

He said troops tracking suspected criminals along Ihumudumu Road in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, arrested an active member of a regional kidnapping syndicate on June 16.

According to him, information obtained from the suspect led to a follow-up cordon-and-search operation at Ujuelen Extension in Ekpoma later that day, resulting in the arrest of an alleged accomplice, Abdulsalim Adama.

Onoja further disclosed that on June 17, troops conducting operations at Mango-Mango Hausa Quarters in Igo Community, Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, arrested another wanted kidnap suspect, Musadik Tanimu.

He said the arrests disrupted local kidnapping cells involved in abductions and ransom demands in the area. (The Nation)

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