By Ayorinde Oluokun
Nigerian Army troops of Operation UDO KA have arrested an alleged IPOB/ESN kingpin popularly known as ‘Calamity’ and four members of his gang allegedly responsible for killing of a police officer and the injuring of another during an attack at Okuku-Igbo community, Oshimili North LGA, Delta State on 26 February 2026.
‘Calamity’ and his gang also carted away two AK-47 rifles belonging to the police officers during the attack, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations
82 Division Nigerian Army said in a statement on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the IPOB/ESN kingpin and his gang members were arrested during a raid on the terrorists’ hideout in Nwofe, Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, in the early hours of Tuesday by troops of Sector 2, Operation UDO KA operating in the ongoing Operation EASTERN SANITY.
Ayeni said the raid was conducted following credible intelligence that linked the suspect and his cohort to the killing of a police officer, injuring of another and theft of their AK-47 rifles in the attack at Okuku-Igbo community.
He added that to evade arrest after intensified security operations in Delta State, “Calamity” and his men relocated to Ebonyi State to look for a safe haven and established a new criminal camp to continue their violent activities.
But Ayeni said acting on actionable intelligence, troops stormed the hideout and apprehended the commander (Calamity) and four other suspects who are also key members of IPOB/ESN.
According to the Army statement, at the time of arrest, “Calamity” was in possession of a black handbag containing five mobile phones and numerous keys.
The other exhibits recovered from the suspects included a black Kcsanya motorcycle.
“The suspects are currently in custody and undergoing further investigation to dismantle the wider network of criminal collaborators and recover other weapons hidden by the group.
“This successful operation underscores the determination of the Nigerian Armed Forces in collaboration with other security agencies to neutralize terrorist threats, restore peace, and protect law-abiding citizens across the region. The military reiterates its commitment to safeguarding lives and property and calls on members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely information that will aid ongoing operations,” the statement by the Army concluded.
