Wanted IPOB/ESN suspect, Akpoke, arrested in Ogun

The Military High Command on Friday announced the arrest of a wanted member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/ESN terrorist group, Simon Chukwumeoru Akpoke, alias “Iron.”

In a statement made available to Defence Correspondents on the update of military operations against insurgency activities, the Director of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed that Akpoke was apprehended at his hideout in Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Gen. Onoja explained that the arrest, which took place on March 29, 2026, followed credible intelligence and that Akpoke had been on the wanted list of the 82 Division, Enugu.

He confirmed that the suspect is officially documented on the division’s wanted list.

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He further disclosed that two nurses who were treating wounded IPOB members were arrested on March 31.

Troops, in conjunction with the Anti-Violence Group, apprehended one nurse at a checkpoint in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect provided medical treatment at a terrorist camp located in Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The other nurse, identified as Miss Ezinna Anthonia, was arrested at Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.

According to the DMO, “Anthonia confessed to being the principal nurse responsible for treating wounded IPOB/ESN terrorists following every encounter with security forces.

She confirmed her membership of the proscribed group. Significantly, the so-called prime minister of the group, Ngozi Orabueze, later posted Anthonia’s photograph on her X (formerly Twitter) handle, inadvertently corroborating her affiliation with the group.

“These arrests represent a significant blow to the medical and logistical support networks sustaining IPOB/ESN operations in the South East.”

Gen. Onoja added that operations conducted by troops across all theatres between March 30 and April 2, 2026, resulted in the killing of several terrorists.

Over 20 suspects were arrested, including terrorists, collaborators, arms couriers, illegal miners, and drug traffickers, while multiple civilian kidnapping victims were rescued.

The DMO assured that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) will neither relent nor be deterred in its constitutional mandate to protect every Nigerian and safeguard the nation’s sovereignty.

Gen. Onoja also noted that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, appealed to Nigerians, community leaders, traditional rulers, and civil society organisations to continue supporting the Armed Forces by providing timely and credible intelligence on the activities of terrorists, criminal gangs, and economic saboteurs.