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Eastern Security Network
Flag of the ESN
Leaders	Nnamdi Kanu "Commander Ikonso" †
Allegiance	Biafra (IPOB)
Ideology	Biafran nationalism Anti-Fulani sentiment
Allies	Ambazonia (AGovC)
Opponents	Nigeria Fulani herders
Battles and wars	Insurgency in Southeastern Nigeria
Website	ipob.org

The Eastern Security Network (ESN) is a terrorist organization in eastern Nigeria that has carried out several attacks on Nigeria's security forces in recent years . It is part of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a movement that has been declared a terrorist organization by the Nigerian military .

The ESN was founded by the IPOB Leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on 12 December 2020. In 2021, Facebook banned Mazi Nnamdi Kanu's account for "violating its rules on harm and hate speech."

History

Background

The IPOB hierarchy has long stated the movement has no intention of going armed, but many of the movement's followers have long disagreed with that position believing that the frequent crackdown on the group by the Nigerian Army and Police justifies their taking up arms to defend themselves. This was especially after the clampdown during the Operation Python Dance when an attack on the home of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in Afaraukwu-Ibeku resulted in dozens of the group's members' death and the disappearance of the IPOB leader himself whom many feared had been killed by the army.

Formation

Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB, announced the formation of the ESN on December 12, 2020. The stated aim was to act as a regional security force to protect people against Fulani raiders. However, the Nigerian government saw the ESN as a threat to its authority and the Fulani led Nigeria Government's interest, and deployed the army to locate and destroy ESN bases. This escalated with the outbreak of the Orlu Crisis a month later. The military confrontation lasted for seven days, until ESN declared a unilateral ceasefire and both sides withdrew from the city.

Shortly after the Orlu Crisis, IPOB gave all the governors of southeast Nigeria 14 days to ban open grazing, threatening to deploy the ESN to enforce a ban if the authorities did not do so. However, the ESN did not wait 14 days; a few days later, ESN operatives attacked a Fulani camp in Isuikwuato, Abia State, killing their livestock and burning down their houses. Following the raid, some governors responded by heeding the ESN's call and banning open grazing.

IPOB accused the Nigerian Army of working in collaboration with the governor of Imo state to continue the harassment and intimidation of civilians in Orlu and environs, especially the arrest of a Rabbi and his family members, whom it was reported were being tortured. Beginning from 15th February there were reports of the Nigerian army sending reinforcements to Orlu. On the 18th of February 2021 Nigeria Military launched an airstrike in Orlu, Imo state; the IPOB issued a swift statement through its State Directorate asserting that "they have finally brought the war upon the Biafran people."

2021

In swift response to the deaths of 20 security personnel in the region in early 2021 by unknown gunmen, including the destruction of three police stations, Nigerian forces raided an ESN camp in Aba, Abia on the night of 23 March 2021. The Nigerian force, numbering hundreds, captured the camp and claimed to have killed 16 ESN fighters. On 29 March the Nigerian police reported arresting 16 ESN members suspected of attacking security personnel.

The Nigerian police blamed the ESN for a prison raid in Owerri on 5 April 2021 in what seemed to be a hasty investigation. A report that was later refuted by the Governor of the state. The attack was made at 2:15 am by gunmen who used explosives to breach the administration block. 1,844 prisoners escaped with the help of the gunmen. By the following day six of the escaped prisoners had voluntarily returned to the prison. An attempt to enter the armoury at the nearby police headquarters was deterred.

On April 9, 2021, IPOB and the Ambazonia Governing Council declared an alliance between Biafra and Ambazonia.

References

1. Killing of ESN top commander: Hope Uzodinma has stirred hornet nest — IPOB, Vanguard, Apr 24, 2021. Accessed Apr 24, 2021.
2. ^ IPOB hails Southeast Governors’ ban on open grazing, The Nation, Feb 2, 2021. Accessed Feb 2, 2021.
3. https://guardian.ng/news/police-arrest-16-ipob-esn-members-for-allegedly-killing-security-operatives-in-southeast/
4. https://cn.reuters.com/article/instant-article/idUSKCN1BQ2CF
5. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-55934277
6. Tension grips Nigerian city as separatist leader goes missing, Reuters, October 3, 2017. Accessed Feb 2, 2021.
7. Nigerian Soldiers Resigned To Join Kanu's Eastern Network – Military Sources, Sahara Reporters, Jan 22, 2021. Accessed Jan 22, 2021.
8. Military Jet Combs Orlu Communities For ESN Operatives After Failed Land Combat, Sahara Reporters, Jan 27, 2021. Accessed Jan 28, 2021.
9. Orlu: Nnamdi Kanu orders ESN to ceasefire against Army, watchful of Fulani herdsmen, Daily Post, Jan 28, 2021. Accessed Jan 28, 2021.
10. IPOB gives Southeast governors 14 days ultimatum to ban open grazing, The Nation, Jan 30, 2021. Accessed Jan 30, 2021.
11. Herdsmen Flee As IPOB's Eastern Security Network Invades Fulani Camp In Abia, Kills Many Cows, Sahara Reporters, Jan 31, 2021. Accessed Feb 1, 2021.
12. Second Nigeria/Biafra War Has Just Started But We Will Defend Our Land — IPOB , Sahara Reports, Feb 19, 2021. Accessed Feb 20, 2021.
13. "Nigerian Army, Police Kill 16 IPOB's Eastern Security Network Operatives In Abia allegedly". Sahara Reporters. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
14. "Police arrest 16 IPOB ESN members for allegedly killing security operatives in Southeast". The Guardian Nigeria News. 29 March 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
15. ^ "Nearly 2,000 prisoners escape jail in south-east Nigeria". The Guardian. 5 April 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
16. "How gunmen attacked Owerri prison, freed 1,844 inmates - Official". Premium Times, Nigeria. 5 April 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
17. AGovC Joins Forces With IPOB, Cameroon News Agency, Apr 9, 2021. Accessed Apr 10, 2021.

• Paramilitary organizations
• Biafra