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| ESN | |||
| {{Infobox war faction | |||
| | name = Eastern Security Network | |||
| | native_name = | |||
| | native_name_lang = | |||
| | war = | |||
| | image = ] | |||
| | caption = Flag of the ESN | |||
| | active = | |||
| | ideology = Biafran separatism | |||
| | leaders = ]<br>"Commander Ikonso"{{KIA}}<ref>, Vanguard, Apr 24, 2021. Accessed Apr 24, 2021.</ref> | |||
| | allegiance = {{flag|Biafra|size=22px}} (]) | |||
| | clans = | |||
| | headquarters = | |||
| | area = | |||
| | size =~10,000 | |||
| | partof = | |||
| | predecessor = | |||
| | successor = | |||
| | allies = {{flag|Ambazonia|size=22px}} (]) | |||
| | split = | |||
| | opponents = {{flag|Nigeria|size=22px}} | |||
| | battles = ] | |||
| | | |||
| }} | |||
| The '''Eastern Security Network''' (ESN) is a paramilitary organization in eastern Nigeria that has carried out several attacks on Nigeria's security forces in recent years <ref>https://guardian.ng/news/police-arrest-16-ipob-esn-members-for-allegedly-killing-security-operatives-in-southeast/</ref>. It is the security wing of ] (IPOB), a separatist movement that has been declared a terrorist organization by the Nigerian military <ref>https://cn.reuters.com/article/instant-article/idUSKCN1BQ2CF</ref>. | |||
| The ESN was founded by the IPOB Leader ] .<ref>https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-55934277</ref> | |||
| ==History== | |||
| ===Background=== | |||
| The Network was formed after a clampdown by Nigerian security forces during the when the home of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in ] was raided and the leader of the group arrested.<ref>, Reuters, October 3, 2017. Accessed Feb 2, 2021.</ref>. Nnamdi Kanu was later released on bail after which he fled the country. <ref>https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-45938456</ref><ref>https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/293192-how-i-escaped-from-nigeria-nnamdi-kanu.html</ref> | |||
| ===Formation=== | |||
| ], 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 ] raiders. However, the Nigerian government saw the ESN as a threat to its authority and deployed the army to locate and destroy ESN bases.<ref>, Sahara Reporters, Jan 22, 2021. Accessed Jan 22, 2021.</ref> This escalated with the outbreak of the ] a month later.<ref name="sarejan272021">, Sahara Reporters, Jan 27, 2021. Accessed Jan 28, 2021.</ref> The military confrontation lasted for seven days, until ESN declared a unilateral ceasefire and both sides withdrew from the city.<ref name="dpngjan2820212">, Daily Post, Jan 28, 2021. Accessed Jan 28, 2021.</ref> | |||
| 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.<ref>, The Nation, Jan 30, 2021. Accessed Jan 30, 2021.</ref> However, the ESN did not wait 14 days; a few days later, ESN operatives attacked a Fulani terrorist camp in ], ], killing their livestock and burning down their houses.<ref>, Sahara Reporters, Jan 31, 2021. Accessed Feb 1, 2021.</ref> Following the raid, some governors responded by heeding the ESN's call and banning open grazing.<ref name="tnoefeb22021">, The Nation, Feb 2, 2021. Accessed Feb 2, 2021.</ref> | |||
| IPOB accused the Nigerian Army of working in collaboration with the ] 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."<ref name="sahrepfeb192021">, Sahara Reports, Feb 19, 2021. Accessed Feb 20, 2021.</ref> | |||
| ===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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nigerian Army, Police Kill 16 IPOB's Eastern Security Network Operatives In Abia allegedly|url=http://saharareporters.com/2021/03/24/breaking-nigerian-army-police-kill-16-ipobs-eastern-security-network-operatives-abia |access-date=6 April 2021 |work=Sahara Reporters |date=24 March 2021}}</ref> On 29 March the Nigerian police reported arresting 16 ESN members suspected of attacking security personnel.<ref>{{cite news |title=Police arrest 16 IPOB ESN members for allegedly killing security operatives in Southeast |url=https://guardian.ng/news/police-arrest-16-ipob-esn-members-for-allegedly-killing-security-operatives-in-southeast/ |access-date=6 April 2021 |work=The Guardian Nigeria News |date=29 March 2021}}</ref> | |||
| The Nigerian police blamed the ESN for a ] in ] on 5 April 2021 in what seemed to be a hasty investigation. A report that was later refuted by the Governor of the state.<ref name=guardian>{{cite news |title=Nearly 2,000 prisoners escape jail in south-east Nigeria |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/05/prisoners-escape-jail-in-south-east-nigeria-owerri-imo |access-date=6 April 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=5 April 2021 |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=How gunmen attacked Owerri prison, freed 1,844 inmates - Official |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/453335-how-gunmen-attacked-owerri-prison-freed-1844-inmates-official.html |access-date=6 April 2021 |work=Premium Times, Nigeria |date=5 April 2021}}</ref> An attempt to enter the armoury at the nearby police headquarters was deterred.<ref name=guardian/> | |||
| ==References== | |||
| {{reflist}} | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
Revision as of 21:28, 9 May 2021
ESN