The Imo state police command has said that it has arrested nine hoodlums suspected to be members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB and its militia affiliate, Eastern Security Network(ESN) said to be involved in the recent killing of five policemen and two civilians in Ngor-Okpala LGA last week.
This is coming after the IPOB had denied that its members were involved in the killing of the policemen.
The suspects were arrested at their hideout in Itu, Ezinihitte-Mbaise on Thursday, 27th April, 2023.
The Imo state police Spokesman, Henry Okoye, in a release on Sunday, said that the command acted on a tip-off and dispatched its Tactical Team arrested one Mathew Chukwuma aged 48 from Mpam Ahiazu-Mbaise LGA of Imo state, at his hideout at Umuahia, Abia state.
The release said, “after interrogating him, he confessed to be the Sector Command of the dreaded IPOB/ESN syndicate in Mbaise and assisted the curious operatives in arresting three of his members namely; Ojoko Ikechukwu, 53 years, of Umugwa, Chilaka Charles aged 44, of Umuezuo and Anthony Iwu aged 50years of Umugwa all in Umuokirika, in Ahiazu-Mbaise LGA of Imo state.
“In the course of investigation, the suspects all confessed to be members of the dreaded IPOB/ESN syndicate terrorizing the good people of Imo state ad had a hand in the recent killing of five police officers and two civilians at Ngor-Okpala LGA.
“They also volunteered crucial information that assisted the operatives in raiding their second hideout in Itu, Ezinihitte-Mbaise LGA of Imo state which led to the arrest of another four suspected members of the proscribed separatist group. The suspects are famous on the commands wanted list due to their nefarious activities.
“On sighting the operatives of the police, the notorious criminal syndicates engaged them in a fierce gun duel but were over powered by the super fire power of the combat ready tactical squad which forced them to surrender all their weapons.
“Those arrested at Itu are one Damian Ibe aged 50year, Iwuala Simeon, 31 years both of Mpam in Ahiazu-Mbaise LGA and Obali Paul, 70 years who hails from Itu in Ezinihitte-Mbaise LGA of Imo state. The 70year-old man is said to be the Chief Priest of the Criminal gang while others escaped with various degrees of bullet injuries.”
According to the release, several ammunition were recovered including one cut to size AK47 rifle, one hundred and ninety rounds of live 7.62 mm ammunition, two AK47 magazines, two cut to size double barrel guns, one locally fabricated Berretta pistol, three pump action guns, two single barrel locally made guns, one locally made pistol, one cut to size gun, 50 rounds of7.66mm live ammunition, thirty-eight rounds of live cartridges, two AK47 magazines, two locally made explosive devices, one Iphone, one H-mobile, walkie-talkie, three cow horns painted with Biafran insignia, two Biafran Jewish caps, Jewish flag, large quantity of weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa and some fetish objects.
The command has promised to expedite more action towards arresting other fleeing members of the syndicates ad make them to face the law.
Meanwhile, the Imo state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Barde, appealed to Imo people to join hands with the police and other security agencies in the crusade against terrorism and always report any suspicious activities or treatment of gunshots injuries at any hospitals through the command’s emergency lines; 08034773700 or 08098880197
Recall that last week, gunmen killed couple and five policemen at Okpala junction in the Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State on Friday.
The couple identified as Mr and Mrs Chinaka Nwagu, hailed from Amankwo Okpala community, Ngor Okpala Local Government Areas of the State.
The incident caused panic in the entire community as commercial activities had abruptly came to end.
A source who identified himself as Uche and a relative to the couple told our correspondent that the slain cops drove from neighbouring from Abo Mbaise police Division to eat at the junction.
He said that while the policemen were eating some gunmen drove to the scene and opened fire on them.
He said that while three police were shot dead at the scene, two others ran to a nearby shot but their attackers raced to the shop killed them and equally killed a couple who owned the shop they ran into.
The eyewitness disclosed that after killing the policemen, the gunmen carted away their five riffles.
The distraught source said ” it is a black Friday in our community. Gunmen around 8am shot five policemen dead at Okpala junction. The policemen drove in a white coloured Hilux from Aboh Mbaise division to eat at the junction.
“As they were eating gunmen drove to the place and opened fire on them. Two out of the five policemen ran to a nearby shop where a couple sell meat pie and sachet water. After killing the three policemen, they came two the shop where the two other officers were hiding, killed them. They also killed a husband and wife that owned the shop.
“They took away their rifles and drove off. This is so unfortunate. Our community is bleeding. Everybody is confused. The couple just relocated from Lagos about one year ago. We just deposited their bodies in a mortuary. They market is shut. People have ran away out of shock and fear. This is unbelievable.”
Another source, Dominic Okpor told our correspondent that he saw the lifeless bodies of the cops on the road when he drove through the Owerri – Aba Road.
Okpor said” this is horrible. The bodies of the five policemen were lying on the road as we drove through. Their Hilux was also parked at the junction. The scene was horrible. It is terrible. God have mercy.
Also, last month, gunmen also killed five officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in the same Ngor Okpala LGA.
