The Imo State Police Command has given an account of how its men arrested suspected Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network members who allegedly killed a traditional ruler in Ezinihitte Mbaise, a party ward chairman, DPO Ahiazu Mbaise and an Inspector of Police in the state.

Speaking during the parade and exhibits recovery on Saturday, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, said the suspects had terrorised the Mbaise axis and bridged the peace of “Ndi Imo”.

Danjuma stressed that the atrocities perpetrated by these suspects prompted him to convene a crucial meeting with Inter-Agency Security chiefs in the state aimed at rolling out collaborative operational strategies that will assist in bringing the assailants to book, adding, “I directed the Command’s Special Tactical Squad to go all out in synergy with other sister security agencies and hunt down the hoodlums responsible for the attacks.

“Imo State Police Command, under my leadership, has continued to intensify its effort to provide maximum safety and security for ‘Ndi Imo’ as the State has been relatively peaceful.

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“However, last week the Command was faced with some security challenges particularly at the Mbaise axis, by IPOB/ESN Terrorists leading to the death of a Traditional ruler in Ezinihitte Mbaise, a party ward chairman.”

Reeling out the results of the operation, the Imo CP declared that a total of 25 male suspects were arrested for various criminal cases ranging from IPOB/ESN terrorism activities, armed robbery, murder, stealing/receiving stolen properties, cultism, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

“These are suspects that are evidentially linked to the respective case against them. While other miscreants were neutralised in a fierce gun battle that ensued between them and the police.

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“In the course of investigating the aforesaid cases, a total number of 20 Assault Rifles, including 5 AK 47 rifles, 6 Pump Action guns, 9 locally made pistols, one Barrera pistol and a total of 359 rounds of various calibres of ammunition, were recovered from them. Also recovered from these suspects include six vehicles, including a black Toyota Venza Car that was used in attacking DPO Ahiazu Mbaise, (3) Motorcycles, Charms, IPOB/ESN vest/insignia, Military camouflage, Biafra Currency, police vests, and other incriminating items.

He further gave an insight into the cases associated with the suspects paraded as follows;

“Following the murder of DPO Ahiazu Mbaise and an Inspector of Police on 27/11/2023, at Ahiara junction in Ahiazu Mbaise by disgruntled elements suspected to be members IPOB/ESN and the subsequent confessions of suspects arrested at the scene by Police operatives in synergy with the Military, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping unit on 29/11/2023 stormed the camp of the criminal syndicate at Umuohie in Ngor Okpala LGA of Imo State, dislodged the terrorists, recovered two automatic pump action riffles and six rounds of life cartridges.

“The determined operatives continued their operation in search of the fleeing terrorists, storming Igbodo-Etche in Rivers State through a Technical Intelligence Tracking Device wherein a native doctor named Everest Agbaragam ‘m’, 62 yrs, of Umuoma, Igbodo, Etche Rivers State AKA Mount Everest was arrested. On searching his shrine one pump action gun loaded with 12 rounds of live cartridges, one big bag containing various denominations of Biafran currencies, one live crocodile, and fetish items were recovered.

“On interrogation, he confessed to being a member of IPOB/ESN. He stated that he usually prepares local bulletproof charms popular known as ‘Odeshi’ for his cohorts before they embark on any operation. He provided useful information to the gallant operatives in storming Umuogwu Forest in Aboh Mbaise LGA on 1/12/23.

The terrorists on sighting the Police, engaged them in a gun battle but were subdued by the combat-ready operatives who professionally maneuvered into vintage position and returned fire. In the ensuing gun duel, some of them were neutralized while others escaped into the tick forest with bullet wounds.

The terrorist camp was dislodged, and the following exhibits were recovered: 1. Five (5) AK-47 riffles, 2. Six (6) magazines containing two hundred and twenty (220) live ammunition, 3. Six (6) pump action guns, 4. One hundred and twenty-one (121) rounds of live cartridges, 5. One Revolver, 6. Four (4) locally made pistols, 7. Three Toyota Venza Cars, including the one they used in attacking the DPO, One Toyota Highlander SUV, and IEDs.

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An intense manhunt is ongoing to track down other fleeing suspects. They will be arraigned in court upon completion of a comprehensive investigation.

“Intelligence-led investigation and data tracking analysis by operatives of the Command’s Quick Intervention (QIT)  Squad led to the arrest of two notorious armed robbery suspects namely; Isreal Ikoma, ‘m’ 40yrs, and Bright Chimezie ‘m’ 42yrs, involved in a case of stealing one Lexus 330 ES Jeep.

The suspects were nabbed on 28/11/2023 at Rumokoro in Rivers State in possession of the vehicles: “They have made confessional statements that will assist the determined Police operatives in arresting other members of their criminal syndicate at large. They will be arraigned in court upon completion of a Comprehensive Investigation.”

Continuing, he said,  “In a related development, Operatives of the QIT squad in close synergy with Akokwa Vigilantes swiftly responded to an actionable intelligence received from a concerned citizen that IPOB/ESN members were sighted at Orie Akokwa market moving in a motorcycle and tactically mobilised to the scene. On sighting the operative the hoodlums engaged them in a gun duel by were overwhelmed by the stiff resistance and professionalism of the determined operatives, forcing them to flee with various degrees of gunshot injuries.  On combing the scene the following items were recovered, 1. Red Qlink Motorcycle, 2. A bag containing 40 pieces of T-shirt, 3. 49 Hand Gloves/face mask, 4. Six Ankle Protector, 5. Four Expanded Rocket Launcher Ammunition, 6. Mopol Uniform, 7. Ammunitions, and 8. Charms.

“An intense follow-up to a distress call received from a concerned citizen that armed robbers numbering about five, operating with unmarked motorcycles were robbing the shop of Ugorji Chimeeucheya ‘m’ along BSC road Orlu, operatives of Orlu Divisional Headquarters swiftly mobilized to the scene engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel. In the process, one of the hoodlums was neutralized while others escaped with various degrees of gunshot injuries. On searching the suspect and the scene, one unregistered KDH King Motorcycle, one cut-to-size double barrel gun, and three live cartridges were recovered. The lifeless body of the neutralized hoodlum was recovered and deposited at IMSUTH Mortuary, Orlu. Efforts are on top gear to arrest the fleeing suspects and make them face the full wrath of the law.

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“On 25/11/2023 at about 21000hrs, Operatives of Anti-Kidnapping Unit Owerri while on surveillance patrol within Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State, through credible information arrested two suspects namely; Obinna Emenue 35 yrs ‘m’ of Duruaku and Obinwanne Umuaka in Njaba L.G.A. of Imo State and one Berretta pistol with three rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the suspect. He confessed to being a member of the Armed Robbery gang terrorizing Njaba and Isu Local Government Areas and stated that he was going to meet his gang members for them to embark on Armed Robbery operations that night. The suspects also mentioned his gang members at large. Meanwhile, intense investigation is ongoing for the arrest of his fleeing gang members and the recovery of their arms.

“On 5/10/2023 at about 2020hrs, Operatives of Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Imo State Command, Owerri while on routine patrol received a distress call from residents of Aladinma Housing Estate, Owerri about the armed robbery activities that had been recurrence attack within the area. On receipt of the distress call, operatives of the Anti-kidnapping unit swiftly swung into action, and navigated to the area, hoodlums on sighting the operatives took to their heels and one of the armed robbery gang members Chinonso Obieshi was arrested, one locally made pistol, and two lives cartridges was recovered from the hoodlum. The suspect confessed to being among the armed robbery gang terrorizing Aladinma and Owerri Municipal Council. Meanwhile, the investigation is ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.

“On 19/11/2023 at about 0730hrs, the family of Nnadi, Amaechi, and Nwadike in Umuayalu, Egbu in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State were having a meeting to discuss their family problem emanating from ancestral land disputes. In the process, parties in the meeting argued among themselves which escalated and the suspect Ugonna Nnadi disrupted the meeting, harassed and assaulted the family elders which made the situation tense. The suspect Ugonna Nnadi rushed into his house, brought out a Chief Revolver pistol loaded with live ammunition, and fired which caused commotion, tension, and fear.

“On receipt of the information, Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, swiftly swung into action, gathered intelligence, and arrested the said Ugonna Nnadi. The Chief Revolver pistol with five rounds of live ammunition and one expended shell was recovered from him. The suspect confessed to being a member of the dreaded cult group and stated that he intended to kill the complainant, Chimdi Nnadi. Meanwhile, the investigation is ongoing.

“Acting of credible intelligence that hoodlums who specialized in POS fraud are in operation at Umukoto Umudibia, Nekede. Operatives of Nekede Divisional Headquarters, in synergy with the local vigilantes, mobilised to the scene. On sighting the police, the hoodlums took to their heels but were given a hot chase by the determined operatives, during which Ifeanyi Anyasodor ‘m’, 23, AKA Eluigwe, was eventually arrested while Dikachi ‘m’ and other suspects escaped. On searching the suspect, One Baibox, and a suspected stolen POS machine were recovered. On interrogation, he confessed to crime and membership of the Vikings confraternity. Efforts are on top gear to arrest his cohort and bring them to book,” he narrated.

He, however, appreciated state governor, Hope Uzodimma for his support and fight against crime as well as the officers who carried out the operation with the help of sister security agencies.
PUNCH