By SEGUN ADEWOLE, Lagos

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested two pastors in connection to the recent attacks on operatives in the South-East region.

The pastors are among 16 suspects arrested in a joint operation by operatives of the police, the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force.

According to Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba, some of the suspects confessed to being members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and the Eastern Security Network.

Mba said, “The arrest, which is an outcome of painstaking, deliberate and tireless efforts by operatives of the Nigeria Police working in collaboration with their counterparts from the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force is aimed at bringing to justice persons responsible for the emerging trend of attacks on security personnel and wanton destruction of security facilities and operational assets.

“The suspects – Ugochukwu Samuel a.k.a Biggy, a 28-year-old native of Arochukwu LGA in Abia State; Raphael Idang, 31-year-old native of Odukpani LGA of Cross River state; Cletus Nwachukwu Egole aka ‘Alewa’, 60-years-old native of Orlu in Imo State; Michael Uba, 33yrs from Imo State; and twelve (12) others in the course of investigation, were implicated in multiple felonies committed across several states in the South-Eastern part of the Federation. The suspects were arrested in various parts of the country following sustained, and intelligence-driven sting operations.

“Police investigations clearly established and linked the suspects to several incidents of attacks and murder of security personnel as well as stealing, unlawful possession of firearms, arson and malicious damage to operational assets of military and law enforcement agents.

“Specifically, investigations revealed that the duo of Ugochukwu Samuel, aka Biggy and Raphael Idang were among the criminal elements that attacked policemen on duty at a checkpoint on 24th December 2020 along Orlu-Ihiala Road in Imo state where two police officers were killed and a police Hilux patrol van set ablaze.”

Mba said a total of nine AK-47 rifles, five other sophisticated firearms, 17 AK-47 magazines, 549 AK-47 live ammunition, 10 Improvised Explosive Devices, camouflage bulletproof vests, walkie talkies and other incriminating items were recovered from the suspects.

“All the suspects will be charged to court on conclusion of investigations,” he added. (Text, excluding headline, courtesy The Punch)

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