Notorious IPOB/ESN Commander ‘iron’ Captured by Troops in South-West Crackdown

The Military High Command has announced the arrest of a wanted member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, Simon Chukwumeoru Akpoke, popularly known by his alias “Iron.”

In a statement issued to defence correspondents detailing ongoing military operations, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed that Akpoke was apprehended at his hideout in the Ijebu-Igbo area of Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State on March 29, 2026. Major General Onoja explained that the arrest followed credible intelligence and that the suspect had been on the wanted list of the 82 Division, Enugu. He confirmed that the suspect is officially documented on the division’s wanted list.

Major General Onoja further disclosed that troops, in conjunction with the Anti-Violence Group, also arrested two nurses who were treating wounded IPOB members. One nurse was apprehended at a checkpoint in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, with preliminary investigations revealing that the suspect provided medical treatment at a terrorist camp located in Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The other nurse, identified as Miss Ezinna Anthonia, was arrested at Oraifite in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State. Major General Onoja stated, “Anthonia confessed to being the principal nurse responsible for treating wounded IPOB/ESN terrorists following every encounter with security forces. She confirmed her membership of the proscribed group. Significantly, the so-called prime minister of the group, Ngozi Orabueze, later posted Anthonia’s photograph on her X (formerly Twitter) handle, inadvertently corroborating her affiliation with the group.”

The Director of Defence Media Operations added that the arrests represent a significant blow to the medical and logistical support networks sustaining IPOB and ESN operations in the South East. Major General Onoja also noted that between March 30 and April 2, 2026, troops across all theatres killed several terrorists and arrested over 20 suspects, including collaborators, arms couriers, illegal miners, and drug traffickers, while multiple civilian kidnapping victims were rescued.