A businessman, Yahaya Victor Abubakar, has reportedly been declared wanted by police after his name and photographs were recovered from mobile phones seized from suspected members of the Biafra Liberation Army, multiple security and community sources have confirmed.
Abubakar was said to have been abducted in July 15, 2020 while travelling by commercial bus to Abia State to purchase goods for his business.
According to information gathered from different sources, armed men intercepted the vehicle along the route and forced several passengers into a nearby forest.
The gunmen were identified by security sources as members of the Biafra Liberation Army, an armed faction linked to the proscribed separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). IPOB was designated a terrorist organisation by the Federal Government in 2017 following a court order.
Sources familiar with the incident said the captives were taken to a forest camp where they were allegedly pressured to join the group and participate in armed operations. “They told the captives they had no choice but to cooperate,” a source said. “Anyone who resisted was threatened.”
Security operatives reportedly launched a search-and-rescue operation after receiving intelligence about the camp’s location. As pressure mounted from advancing security forces, the group allegedly relocated the captives to another forest hideout in Ogun State, in the Southwest region of the country.
While in captivity, the abductees were reportedly dressed in Biafra Liberation Army uniforms and photographed. A mobile phone belonging to one of the captives was allegedly used to take the pictures, according to security sources.
In the course of subsequent security operations, several suspected members of the armed group were arrested. During a public parade of the suspects, security agents reportedly recovered mobile phones containing images and personal details of some captives, including Abubakar.
Police sources said that following the discovery of the materials, Abubakar was declared wanted as part of ongoing investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the photographs and his alleged association with the group.
However, community sources insist that he was a victim of abduction who later escaped during the chaos that followed intensified security operations.
It was gathered that Abubakar fled the country shortly after learning he had been declared wanted, citing fears for his safety amid concerns that the group’s commander and other members at large could target him.
In recent years, the armed wing linked to IPOB, often referred to as the Eastern Security Network (ESN), has been associated with violent attacks in parts of southeastern Nigeria. These incidents have included assaults on security formations, targeted killings, enforcement of controversial sit-at-home orders, and destruction of public infrastructure, leading to heightened tensions and heavy security deployments across the region.
Security analysts note that the proliferation of armed separatist groups and criminal elements operating under similar banners has complicated law enforcement efforts, with civilians frequently caught in the crossfire.
As investigations continue, authorities have urged members of the public with relevant information to come forward, assuring that all cases will be thoroughly examined in line with the law.
