The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the apprehension of 15 individuals suspected to be members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), which is the armed wing of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
According to ASP Henry Okoye, the spokesperson for the Police Command, the arrest of the 15 suspected Eastern Security Network (ESN) members follows confessions provided by individuals from the group who were previously detained by the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad. The statement was issued in Owerri on Friday.
In a subsequent operation led by CSP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, the Anti-Kidnapping Squad apprehended the 15 suspects at their hideouts located in Obiangwu and Logara Forests within Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State, as stated by ASP Henry Okoye.
According to him, an AK47 riffle loaded with 21 rounds of live ammunition, charms, one cut-to-size double barrel short gun, four locally made short guns, three rounds of live ammunition and illicit drugs and substances were recovered from the suspects.
“One militia camouflage T-Shirt, one Improvised Explosive Device, one guinea fowl with fetish items on it, one POS machine used in extorting money from their victims and various denominations of Biafra currency were equally recovered.
“The suspects will be arraigned in court upon completion of a comprehensive investigation,” the command spokesman added.
Mr Okoye reiterated the pledge of the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, to ensure adequate security during the yuletide, as well as intensify the clamp down on subversive and unrepentant criminals across the state.
Mr Okoye urged members of the public to support the police with timely and actionable information through: 08034773600 and 08098880197, to stem criminalities across the state.
