Army arrests 13 in Delta operation against IPOB/ESN
The Army announced over the weekend that troops from the 63 Brigade/Sector 1 Joint Task Force South-South (SS) Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) carried out a series of successful raids aimed at dismantling hideouts of suspected Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) members in Delta State, leading to the arrest of 13 suspects.
The operation, conducted from July 26 to August 1, 2025, was meticulously planned and executed based on actionable intelligence.
Captain IliyashvBawa Rijau, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, confirmed that the raids were focused on the Abacha Camp and Fulani Camp areas in Okpanam, located within the Oshimili North Local Government Area.
Captain Rijau stated, “The troops’ raids were carried out based on gathered intelligence.” He also mentioned that the arrested suspects were transferred to the 63 Military Intelligence Regiment (MIR) for thorough profiling.
Following the profiling process, four individuals were confirmed to be collaborators with IPOB/ESN, while the remaining nine were cleared of any ties to the group and will be returned to their families on surety.
The identified confirmed suspects are Hossanah John, Obassey Maduabichi, Nwamini Nduka, and Aguyi Uchenna, who will face further action from higher authorities.
Brigadier General MA Shonibare, the Commander of the 63 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 1 Joint Task Force South-South (SS) Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), commended the efforts of the troops and assured the community that such operations are critical to ensuring peace and security in Delta State.
Source: Vanguard newspaper
