Nigeria forces claims they have apprehended Awurum Eze, the deputy to Ikonso Don, the late commander of the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, made the announcement in a statement Wednesday night.
Ikonso and six others were killed by security operatives three weeks ago with other suspected members of ESN arrested.
The spokesman said Eze, 48, is a native of Umoneke Nta, Isiala-Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
On May 4, 2021, he escaped when operatives of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) stormed his village house in Isiala Mbano.
Eze was eventually apprehended on May 12, in Aba, Abia State, after weeks of unrelenting follow-ups by operatives.
The Nigerian Army alleged that 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 3 months. Many of the arrested IPOB/ESN members they claimed had earlier mentioned him as their key sponsor, mastermind and Second in Command to late Ikonso.
“According to them, amongst all their leaders in Imo State, only Ikonso and Awurum have direct communication link with Nnamdi Kanu. He can be seen in several photographs posing with the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu,” the statement read.
