Was an IPOB Commander Arrested Recently?

On May 22, 2025, a Facebook user, Bello Isiaka posted a picture of an arrested man with pictures of a group of persons in matching outfits. 

The caption attached to this post reads: “BREAKING: IPOB commander Udebuan Sage Chubueze, arrested in his house at Ekwulobia, Aguata LG, Anambra state.

Four AK-47, two automatic pump-action, and several ammunition were recovered.

He confessed to have led several attacks in Nkpor, Nnewi, Nnobi and on police facilities, killing several policemen and Naval personnel.”

VERIFICATION

To verify the validity of this claim, NV-A conducted a keyword search and put the images through proper verification. Our image verification with TinEye and keyword search led us to various reports related to the claim. 

In a 2021 report by Channels News, we found that the image of the arrested man was indeed that of the IPOB commander. According to the report, he was apprehended by police operatives in Anambra state and following his arrest a search through his house was conducted, in which they found four AK-47 rifles, two automatic pump action guns and other ammunition. He also confessed to being part of a group responsible for the deaths of several Nigerian naval officers. 

Another 2021 report on the arrest from Africa Independent Television, AIT was also published with the same picture attached to it. N-VA findings for the photos of men in matching shirts, revealed that the men in the pictures a part of the ‘Agunechemba security initiative’ in Anambra state, the initiative was established in response to the security concerns of the state and it was mandated by the Anambra state Homeland Security Law 2025. 

CONCLUSION

The claim that an IPOB commander recently got arrested is MISLEADING. The incident is not recent as the arrest of the IPOB commander happened in October 2021. He was apprehended by the Anambra state police officials.