Residents of Enugu State can finally heave a sigh of relief after police operatives captured a key figure linked to several violent attacks in the region.
The suspect, 32-year-old Onoh Chidera, described by security sources as a notorious member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), was arrested during a covert operation over the weekend.
According to the Enugu State Police Command, the breakthrough came after weeks of gathering credible intelligence.
Operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Squad tracked Chidera to a known criminal hideout around the 9th Mile Corner, Ngwo, where he was apprehended without incident.
A senior police officer familiar with the operation revealed that Chidera had long been on the radar of security agencies.
“He is believed to have played a central role in the attack on the Ezeagu Police Station earlier this year, an assault during which arms and ammunition were stolen,” the officer disclosed.
The arrest is seen as a major step in dismantling a violent network that has terrorized parts of Enugu State in recent months.
“This operation sends a strong message that those threatening public safety will not escape justice,” said another police source, who confirmed that a discreet investigation is already underway to identify and apprehend Chidera’s accomplices.
Security analyst, Zagazola said the development could restore public confidence in law enforcement within the state.
Many residents have expressed optimism that the capture of such a high-profile suspect may help curb attacks on police facilities and ease tension in communities affected by violence.
The police command urged the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities, assuring that further arrests would follow as the investigation deepens.