The Nigerian Navy has handed over five suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), to the State Security Service in Anambra State for further investigation.

This is contained in a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, on Friday.

Mr Folorunsho said the suspects were apprehended by officers of the Naval Outpost, Onitsha, deployed at Forward Operating Base Amiyi following credible intelligence linking them to suspected criminal activities in the Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.

He said preliminary investigations indicated that one of the suspects was allegedly coordinating the group’s activities within the area, while others were linked to a wider network of operations.

According to him, early findings also suggested that some locations in the area were being used for meetings and recruitment by the group.

The naval spokesman said the suspects were subsequently handed over to the SSS in line with established inter-agency cooperation protocols for further investigation and action.

He said the operation reflected the Nigerian Navy’s continued commitment to supporting internal security efforts and combating criminality and violent extremism.

Mr Folorunsho reaffirmed the navy’s resolve to sustain collaboration with other security agencies to ensure peace, stability, and protection of lives and property across the country. 

(NAN)