DSS Arrests ESN Commander and IPOB Member Who Killed 5 Policemen

Enugu, Enugu State – In a significant breakthrough for security in the South-East region, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have apprehended a suspected high-ranking commander of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), Sabastine Odo Odam, along with Ejike Daniel, an alleged member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The arrests were made during an intelligence-driven operation on Friday, March 6, 2026, in the communities of Eha-Amufu and Umuhu within Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Security sources revealed that the duo’s capture followed months of meticulous surveillance, linking them to a string of violent assaults on police formations and the theft of firearms, which were subsequently used in further attacks. The suspects have reportedly confessed to orchestrating multiple incidents, including the brutal killing of 11 labourers on February 26, 2026, and the murder of five police officers spanning from December 24, 2025, to January 26, 2026.

As previously reported by NaijaChoice News, the February 26 attack on the labourers in Isi-Uzo LGA sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the escalating insecurity in the area attributed to separatist activities. Similarly, the targeted killings of police officers in late 2025 and early 2026 had raised alarms about the safety of law enforcement personnel and civilians alike in the region.

Residents of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area have expressed relief and optimism following the arrests. Many locals believe this development could pave the way for lasting peace in communities that have endured repeated bouts of violence over the past years. One anonymous resident told reporters, “We have been living in fear for too long. These arrests are a step towards normalcy.”

The ESN, often described as the armed wing of IPOB, has been implicated in various security challenges in the South-East, including enforcements of sit-at-home orders and clashes with security forces. The DSS operation underscores the ongoing efforts by Nigerian security agencies to dismantle such networks and restore order.

Both Sabastine Odo Odam and Ejike Daniel remain in DSS custody and are slated for arraignment in court in the coming days. Authorities have assured the public that investigations are continuing to uncover any additional accomplices.