From George Onyejiuwa and Stanley Uzoaro, Owerri
A suspected member of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) Eastern Security Network (ESN) has been arrested by the operatives of the Imo state police command.
Another suspected member was reportedly shot dead by operatives of the command who had stormed their hideout during a gun duel.
In statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Michael Abbattam said the suspected member of the IPOB/ESN, Uchenna Chukwu, 34, of Umunakanu in Ehime Mbano Local Government area of the state had been on the wanted list of the command for allegedly participating in the attacks on the police infrastructure in the state.
“Following credible information that a member of IPOB/ ESN terror gang who has been in the command’s wanted list but on the run after participating in several killings of police officers and burning of police stations was seen at Umuchoke in Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo State, the command’s tactical teams, after diligent intelligence gathering, on October 6 2021 at about 1630 hours, mobilised and stormed the shop of the hoodlum, who was later identified as Uchenna Chukwu of Umunakanu in Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo State.”
He said on sighting the police operatives, Uchenna Chukwu raised the alarm, alerting other members of his gang, picked a cutlass and rushed at one of the police operatives in an attempt to cut off the officer’s head, but was overpowered, disarmed and the cutlass recovered from him.
“While this was on, the already alerted members came in their numbers and engaged the police operatives in a gun duel but were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the police and in the process, one of them was neutralised while others escaped with bullet wounds into hiding.
“Recovered from the deceased were one locally made double barrel pistol with two expended cartridges, two live cartridges and the charms he tied round his waist to fortify himself against police bullets.”
Abbattam said that the suspect is undergoing interrogation and has made useful statement to the investigating team, revealing their hideout and the abode of other members of his gang on the run.
He also said that the police operatives are working in synergy with other security agencies to arrest the other members of the group, especially, those that escaped with bullets wounds.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Rabiu Hussaini, while commending the officers and men for their gallantry and proactivity, expressed appreciation to the people of the state for their support. He advised them to continue to assist the police with credible information and report to the nearest police station any person seen with bullet wounds.