A prisoner, Mr Chimezie Chukwu (a.k.a Biggi) who escaped from Jos Prison in Plateau State, North Central has been arrested in Enugu State, South East.
Chukwu was arrested by troops of Sector 1 of the Joint Task Force South East Operation (UDO KA II) on Friday, October 20, 2023, in collaboration with the Department of State Security (DSS) Enugu State Command during a raid operation on suspected Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliates the Eastern Security Network (ESN) hideout in Ugbakwa Village in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu.
According to a statement by Lt. Col. Jonah Unuakhalu for Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA II on Saturday, October 21, 2023, the troops apprehended Chukwu, an escapee of Jos Prison Break known to be a drug peddler, gunrunner and also specialised in armed robbery.
“Items recovered from him include six mobile phones, three mobile phone batteries, one Moniepoint POS and ATM card, two packs of substances suspected to be cannabis and the sum of One Hundred and Seven Thousand, Two Hundred and Eighty Naira only.
“Suspect and recovered items are in the custody of the DSS for further investigation,” the statement read in part.
Unuakhalu also stated that the troops of Sector 4 deployed at Forward Operational Base in Okigwe, Imo State while on checkpoint duties spotted an identified IPOB/ESN member on a motorcycle. “When ordered by the troops to halt and alight from the motorcycle, he took to his heels in order to escape arrest.
“All efforts to stop him proved abortive forcing the troops to open fire and neutralised the suspect.
“Items recovered from him are, two live rounds of 7.62mm Special, One ITEL Mobile phone, One small bag containing charms, the sum of Two thousand three hundred naira only and One Qlink motorcycle.”
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Additionally, troops of Sector 5 of Operation UDO KA II acting on credible intelligence also conducted raid operations on suspected IPOB/ESN camps at Ogbunka in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“On arrival, the camp was already abandoned by the terrorist group.
“However, the troops recovered three abandoned Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) which are two Toyota Highlander and one Mercedes Benz ML 350 – efforts ongoing to identify the owners of the vehicles.
“Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA II, therefore, call on the law-abiding and good citizens of the South East region not to relent in providing timely, credible and reliable Information that will assist in ending this menace in the region.
“Operation UDO KA II will continue combating crime and criminality in accordance with the extant rules and regulations guiding its operations,” the statement added.