DSS Nabs Top ESN Commander in Enugu Raid

ENUGU – Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have achieved a significant breakthrough in the Southeast’s security landscape, apprehending a high-profile Eastern Security Network (ESN) commander and an alleged Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) operative in a coordinated raid on Friday, March 6, 2026.

The suspects – Sabastine Odo Odam, described as a notorious ESN field commander, and Ejike Daniel – were nabbed in separate locations at Eha-Amufu and Umuhu communities within Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State. Security analyst Zagazola broke the news via his verified X handle, citing intelligence sources familiar with the operation.

Months of meticulous surveillance culminated in the arrests, which sources link to a spate of brazen assaults rocking Isi-Uzo since 2024. The duo has reportedly confessed to orchestrating more than 20 violent incidents, including devastating raids on police stations where arms were looted, the grisly February 26, 2026, massacre of 11 innocent laborers, and the slaying of five policemen between December 24, 2025, and January 26, 2026.

Recovered from their hideouts were an assortment of weaponry: AK-47 rifles, locally fabricated pistols, and magazines loaded with live ammunition, underscoring the suspects’ capacity for sustained terror.

“This operation marks a pivotal win for the DSS in curbing Southeast insecurity,” a source close to the matter told reporters. “Odam and Daniel were key architects of chaos, fueling fear through targeted killings and ambushes that destabilized local policing.”

Joy rippled through Isi-Uzo communities as word spread. “We’ve lived under siege from these gunmen for too long – attacks on farms, markets, and checkpoints,” said Chidi Okoro, a local farmer. “This arrest brings hope for normalcy and safe nights.”

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The development comes amid escalating IPOB/ESN activities in Enugu, Anambra, and Imo states, where sit-at-home orders and reprisal strikes have crippled daily life. Analysts note the arrests could disrupt command structures, but warn of potential retaliation.

Both men remain in DSS custody in Enugu, undergoing interrogation ahead of court arraignment. Authorities urge residents to share tips on remaining threats via hotlines.