The Imo State Police Command said a joint task force of police and troops of the Nigeria Army has dislodged members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, from a camp in Ihite-Owerre, Orlu Local Government Area.
According to a statement by the command’s spokesman, ASP Henry Okoye, released on Tuesday in Owerri, a cache of arms and ammunition belonging to the criminal group was recovered.
Okoye also said a suspected member of the Eastern Security Network, ESN―the armed group of the proscribed IPOB―was arrested during the raid on the camp.
He said the raid was carried out on Monday following cases of kidnappings involving a Federal Road Safety Corps officer, Sabinus Ugwuebu and the former chairman of Imo traditional rulers, Eze Samuel Ohiri.
“Police operatives in synergy with the military on January 8, at about 3:30 am, stormed a suspected terrorist camp at Ihite Owerre, in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo, and arrested one suspect while others escaped with gunshot injuries after a protracted gunfight with the terrorists.
“On searching the camp, one pump-action gun, two double-barrel guns, two single-barrel guns, and 54 rounds of live cartridges were recovered. Military uniforms, six motorcycles, a box containing locally made explosives, and FRSC uniforms of the kidnapped officer were recovered.
“A concerted investigative effort is in progress to arrest the fleeing suspects and possibly rescue the kidnapped victims. The suspects will be arraigned in court upon completion of investigations,” Okoye stated.
He reiterated the resolve of the state’s Commissioner for Police, Aboki Danjuma, to collaborate with the military and other security agencies towards stamping out all forms of crime and criminality in the state.
He also restated Danjuma’s promise that the command would not rest until the kidnapped victims were released and the culprits brought to book.
