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], 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> ], 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> 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 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> 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>

Revision as of 03:16, 10 May 2021

Eastern Security Network
Flag of the ESN
LeadersNnamdi Kanu
"Commander Ikonso" †
Allegiance Biafra (IPOB)
IdeologyBiafran separatism
Size~10,000
Allies Ambazonia (AGovC)
Opponents Nigeria
Battles and warsInsurgency in Eastern Nigeria

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 . It is the security wing of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a separatist movement that has been declared a terrorist organization by the Nigerian military .

The ESN was founded by the IPOB Leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu .

History

Background

The Network was formed after a clampdown by Nigerian security forces during the Operation Python Dance when the home of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in Afaraukwu-Ibeku was raided and the leader of the group arrested.. Nnamdi Kanu was later released on bail after which he fled the country.

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 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.



References

  1. Killing of ESN top commander: Hope Uzodinma has stirred hornet nest — IPOB, Vanguard, Apr 24, 2021. Accessed Apr 24, 2021.
  2. https://guardian.ng/news/police-arrest-16-ipob-esn-members-for-allegedly-killing-security-operatives-in-southeast/
  3. https://cn.reuters.com/article/instant-article/idUSKCN1BQ2CF
  4. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-55934277
  5. Tension grips Nigerian city as separatist leader goes missing, Reuters, October 3, 2017. Accessed Feb 2, 2021.
  6. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-45938456
  7. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/293192-how-i-escaped-from-nigeria-nnamdi-kanu.html
  8. Nigerian Soldiers Resigned To Join Kanu's Eastern Network – Military Sources, Sahara Reporters, Jan 22, 2021. Accessed Jan 22, 2021.
  9. Military Jet Combs Orlu Communities For ESN Operatives After Failed Land Combat, Sahara Reporters, Jan 27, 2021. Accessed Jan 28, 2021.
  10. Orlu: Nnamdi Kanu orders ESN to ceasefire against Army, watchful of Fulani herdsmen, Daily Post, Jan 28, 2021. Accessed Jan 28, 2021.
  11. IPOB gives Southeast governors 14 days ultimatum to ban open grazing, The Nation, Jan 30, 2021. Accessed Jan 30, 2021.
  12. 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.
  13. IPOB hails Southeast Governors’ ban on open grazing, The Nation, Feb 2, 2021. Accessed Feb 2, 2021.
  14. Second Nigeria/Biafra War Has Just Started But We Will Defend Our Land — IPOB , Sahara Reports, Feb 19, 2021. Accessed Feb 20, 2021.
  15. "Nigerian Army, Police Kill 16 IPOB's Eastern Security Network Operatives In Abia allegedly". Sahara Reporters. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  16. "Police arrest 16 IPOB ESN members for allegedly killing security operatives in Southeast". The Guardian Nigeria News. 29 March 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  17. ^ "Nearly 2,000 prisoners escape jail in south-east Nigeria". The Guardian. 5 April 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  18. "How gunmen attacked Owerri prison, freed 1,844 inmates - Official". Premium Times, Nigeria. 5 April 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
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