Top IPOB Commander Arrested in Lagos

The Police in Lagos have arrested a top commander of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

Uchezi Eze who was picked in his operational base in Lagos was linked to a string of violent operations in several towns and communities in South-East Nigeria.

The 43-year-old was said to have received training in infantry, espionage and guerilla warfare.

Eze is also a top official of the Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN)

He was said to have left South-East last year with the intention of coming to Lagos

He is reported to be deadly and feared among even other IPOB commanders.

He was arrested midweek at Shibiri in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State.

His mission in Lagos remains unclear, but a source said he might be in Lagos to set up IPOB cells or oil existing ones, (if any).

Security sources said that Eze was also a custodian of arms and military uniforms and was said to be an “expert” in kidnapping and armed operations in the South-East.

Before he came to Lagos, Eze was in charge of Operations of IPOB/ESN activities in Imo, Anambra and Ebonyi states.

He was said to have made useful confessions, including his involvement in the killing of security operatives in the South-East.

Eze has been linked to the burning of police stations and assassination of Ikonso and some All Progressives Congress, APC members in the South-East.

The police said “On Wednesday night, Anti-kidnapping Unit revealed that it received reliable intelligence and a team led by a Chief Superintendent of Police, (CSP), Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, Commander Anti-kidnapping Unit went to Shibiri, Ojo, in Lagos State where one Uchechi Eze aka Lion Heart, 43, from Imo State was arrested, adding “He is the Operational Commander of IPOB/ESN terrorists in the entire acclaimed Biafra land. A search was executed in his hideout at Shibiri Ojo, Lagos state and two AK47 rifles, and 60 rounds of live ammunition were recovered.”

The police said he had confessed to having been the Operational Commander of IPOB/ESN terrorising Imo, Anambra and Ebonyi states, including burning of all police stations, government facilities, killing of Nigeria government securities, including personnel of APC in the struggle to actualize the Biafra Republic and in revenge for the death of notorious late Ikonso, the IPOB/ESN Zonal Operational Commander.

Operatives said the investigation was on to identify his collaborators in Lagos.

A police source said since assuming office, the current Lagos State Police Commissioner, CP Adegoke Fayoade, has strengthened the security framework adding ”Lagos is a ‘no go’ area for terrorists and criminals”

The source said the Inspectpr General of Police IG Kayode Egbetokun had re-energised the Police force, adding that he had increased the rating of the Nigerian police locally and internationally within the shortest time of his coming to power.