The Nigerian Navy has handed over five suspects linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Eastern Security Network (ESN), and other alleged criminal elements to the Department of State Services (DSS) in Anambra State for further investigation.
The suspects were arrested by personnel of Naval Outpost Onitsha deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Amiyi following intelligence reports connecting them to suspected criminal activities in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.
According to the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, preliminary investigations identified one of the suspects as the alleged coordinator of the group’s activities within the affected communities, while others were reportedly linked to the network.
Folorunsho stated that initial findings also revealed locations allegedly used for meetings and recruitment activities by the group.
He explained that the suspects were subsequently transferred to the DSS in line with existing inter-agency collaboration and extant regulations for further investigation and necessary action.
The Navy spokesman noted that the operation highlights the Nigerian Navy’s continued commitment to supporting internal security operations and ongoing efforts to combat criminality, violent extremism, and other threats to national security.
He added that the Nigerian Navy would continue to sustain collaborative security operations with relevant agencies to ensure peace, stability, and the protection of lives and property across the country.
