Nigerian Navy Hands Over Five Suspected IPOB/ESN Members to DSS in Anambra

The Nigerian Navy has handed over five suspects allegedly linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Eastern Security Network (ESN), and other criminal elements to the Department of State Services (DSS) in Anambra State for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The suspects were arrested by personnel of the Naval Outpost (NOP) Onitsha, operating under the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Amiyi, following intelligence reports connecting them to suspected criminal activities in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, who said preliminary investigations identified one of the suspects as the alleged coordinator of the group’s operations within the affected communities.

According to the statement, the remaining four suspects were identified as active members of the network allegedly involved in clandestine operations.

Folorunsho further explained that initial findings by naval authorities pointed to specific locations reportedly used for secret meetings and recruitment activities linked to the group.

“In line with established inter-agency collaboration protocols and extant regulations, the Navy subsequently transferred custody of all five suspects to the Department of State Services for thorough investigation and prosecution as deemed appropriate,” the statement noted.

The Navy described the operation as part of its sustained efforts to support internal security operations and tackle criminality, violent extremism, and other emerging threats to national security across joint operational areas.

Folorunsho reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with other security agencies to ensure lasting peace, stability, and the protection of lives and property nationwide.

The handover underscores ongoing inter-agency cooperation among security institutions in addressing security challenges and maintaining law and order in parts of the country.