IPOB/ESN Wanted Suspect Arrested in Ogun, Two Nurses Captured in Anambra – Defense Headquarters

The Defense Headquarters on Friday announced the arrest of a wanted member of the proscribed indigenous people of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, identified as Simon Chukwumeoru Akpoke, alias “Iron”, in Ogun State.

The Director of Defense Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a press conference, stressing that the suspect was arrested on March 29, 2026, at his hideout in Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu North Local Government Area.

Onoja said Akpoke was on the wanted list of the 82nd Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu, adding that his arrest followed credible information.

“The suspect is documented on the wanted list of the 82nd Division Area of ​​Responsibility,” he said.
In a related development, the military said troops arrested two nurses accused of providing medical care to injured members of the proscribed group in Anambra state.

According to Onoja, one of the suspects was arrested at a checkpoint in Ihiala Local Government Area after being trailed by troops in collaboration with an anti-violence group.

Preliminary findings, he said, revealed that the suspect was providing treatment to wounded fighters at a camp located in Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area.

The second suspect, identified as Miss Ezinna Anthonia, was arrested at Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area. She reportedly confessed to serving as the main nurse responsible for treating injured members of the group after clashes with security agents.

Onoja added that a senior figure in the group, Ngozi Orabueze, had allegedly shared Anthonia’s photograph on social media, a development the military said corroborated his affiliation.

He described the arrests as a significant disruption to the medical and logistics network that supports the group’s operations in the southeast.

The Defense spokesperson further revealed that ongoing troop operations in various theaters between March 30 and April 2 led to the killing of several insurgents and the arrest of over 20 suspects, including collaborators, arms couriers, illegal miners and drug traffickers.

He added that several kidnapped victims were also rescued during the operations.

Reaffirming the commitment of the Armed Forces, Onoja said the military will not relent in its constitutional mandate to safeguard the territorial integrity of the country and ensure the safety of its citizens.

He also conveyed the appeal of the Chief of Defense Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, urging Nigerians, community leaders and civil society organizations to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to aid ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.

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