In a now viral video, the wife of a well known commander of the Eastern Security Network, ESN confessed that the traditional ruler of her village, Igwe Thomas Ogbannaya is working in collaboration with members of the ESN to commit atrocities in Anambra State.
The confession came after a raid in Owerre-Ezukala community conducted by men of the Nigerian military last week Tuesday as part of the ongoing operation Udoka in the South East.
While being interrogated by men of the Nigerian Army, Mrs Ujunwa Agueze, who’s husband, Onyedika Agueze is currently on the run, confessed that, the igwe of the community allocated lands to IPOB/ESN members where they set up an operational base since 2022.
It is from this camp that all the killings and kidnappings taking place in Anambra South Senatorial zone is being carried out.
She also confessed that the traditional ruler normally uses members of the ESN in settling land disputes within the community.
Many individuals have been killed within the community, houses burnt and some individuals who were taken into the bush from where the group operates never returned.
The community which is in Orumba South LGA of Anambra State, shares borders with Alaw in Orji-River LGA of Enugu State and Isuochi in Umunneochi LGA of Abia State.
Since it is a walking distance from Isuochi, the ESN men normally enter Isuochi on foot, carry out attacks and kidnappings in Abia State and return to Owerre-Ezukala while the attacks are being attributed to the so-called unknown gun men camp in Umunneochi.
The group is reported to have also carried out several attacks on Soldiers in some parts of Imo State.
Many kidnap victims are regularly brought into the village in the open. While some are released after payment of ransom. The not so-lucky ones never make it out of the camp.
Independent investigations conducted show that the entire community has been over run by members of the ESN as they not only sleep in the camps but also are living within the community in the houses of many youths in the village that have been recruited to join the group.
Feelers from other villages within Orumba South LGA indicates that the group is operating without restrictions or fear as they are being shielded by Owerre-Ezukala community.
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