The Nigerian Army has uncovered and destroyed a major firearms and drone manufacturing factory belonging to members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militia arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The soldiers also killed two members of the group and arrested six others at the factory located at Onicha Ulona in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Briefing newsmen within the premises of the arms factory after its discovery, Commander 63 Brigade, Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, noted that the raid of the dreaded hideout location was carried out after thorough investigations based on intelligence available to the command.
He disclosed that eight people had, so far, been arrested in connection with the family business, and that included the father, who masterminded the business, his wife and sister, alongside other people working in the arms factory.
Speaking further, the brigade commander revealed that the activities of the suspects was a major contributor to the rising cases of insecurity in the region and the country at large.
He said: “In this axis, only IPOB and Eastern security networks use improvised explosive devices and even drones. A normal AK-47 magazine carries 30 rounds, but this man is modifying an AK-47 magazine to carry 60 rounds. Anybody that is involved in an act of insurgency that is against the peace and stability of Nigeria, we will get to you.”
Responding to a question, a 22-year-old (m) prime suspect, who identified himself as Emmanuel Eboka, admitted to have rented some of the arms to criminal elements for set fees”.
He said: “When I repair it for them I don’t charge them; they just give me whatever they can afford. I don’t charge them. My daddy said I should leave his veranda, because he is not comfortable with me being around his veranda, that is why I shifted to this side (the forest).”
His parents, Mrs and Mrs Isioma and Angela Eboka, said they were aware of the illegal activities of their son, but denied any knowledge that he was providing arms and ammunition to criminals.
Director, Army Public Relations, Major General Onyeka Nwachukwu, in a statement in Abuja, said the soldiers captured a wide range of IPOB/ESN firearms, ammunition, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and a drone manufacturing factory.
He listed other items recovered to include a variety of weapons, drones under construction, with prototypes of improvised explosive device materials, a fully equipped workshop, and several power generating sets. He said the intelligence-led operation revealed that the dissidents were using the factory to carry out criminal activities to terrorise neighbouring communities and innocent citizens.
Maj. Gen Nwachkwu stated: “Troops of the Nigerian Army have made a significant inroad in the ongoing fight against terrorism and insurgency, as they uncovered and neutralised a major firearms and drone manufacturing factory operated by armed fighters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militia arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) at Onicha Ulona in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State.
“Upon swooping on the illegal factory, the troops were met with stiff resistance, but overpowered the armed fighters in the fierce firefight that followed. The gallant troops neutralised two of the fighters and recovered a substantial cache of arms and ammunition.
“Items captured by the troops include a wide range of IPOB/ESN firearms, ammunition, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and a drone manufacturing factory. Other items recovered are a variety of weapons, drones under construction, with prototypes, improvised explosive device materials, a fully equipped workshop, and several power generating sets. Troops also apprehended four male and two female fighters during the operation.
“The Nigerian Army assures the public of troops’ unalloyed commitment to dismantling terrorists’ and insurgents’ networks in their effort to mitigate security challenges in the nation. We urge the public to continue to support the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, as they strive to restore peace and stability in the country.”
