The Imo State Police Command has given an account of how its men arrested suspected Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network members who allegedly killed a traditional ruler in Ezinihitte Mbaise, a party ward chairman, DPO Ahiazu Mbaise and an Inspector of Police in the state.

Speaking during the parade and exhibits recovery on Saturday, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, said the suspects had terrorised the Mbaise axis and bridged the peace of “Ndi Imo”.

Danjuma stressed that the atrocities perpetrated by these suspects prompted him to convene a crucial meeting with Inter-Agency Security chiefs in the state aimed at rolling out collaborative operational strategies that will assist in bringing the assailants to book, adding, “I directed the Command’s Special Tactical Squad to go all out in synergy with other sister security agencies and hunt down the hoodlums responsible for the attacks.

“Imo State Police Command, under my leadership, has continued to intensify its effort to provide maximum safety and security for ‘Ndi Imo’ as the State has been relatively peaceful.

“However, last week the Command was faced with some security challenges particularly at the Mbaise axis, by IPOB/ESN Terrorists leading to the death of a Traditional ruler in Ezinihitte Mbaise, a party ward chairman,” he said.

Reeling out the results of the operation, the Imo CP declared that a total of 25 male suspects were arrested for various criminal cases ranging from IPOB/ESN terrorism activities, armed robbery, murder, stealing/receiving stolen properties, cultism, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

“These are suspects that are evidentially linked to the respective case against them; while other miscreants were neutralised in a fierce gun battle that ensued between them and the police.

“On 19/11/2023 at about 0730hrs, the family of Nnadi, Amaechi, and Nwadike in Umuayalu, Egbu in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State were having a meeting to discuss their family problem emanating from ancestral land disputes. In the process, parties in the meeting argued among themselves which escalated and the suspect Ugonna Nnadi disrupted the meeting, harassed and assaulted the family elders which made the situation tense. The suspect Ugonna Nnadi rushed into his house, brought out a Chief Revolver pistol loaded with live ammunition, and fired which caused commotion, tension, and fear.

“On receipt of the information, Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, swiftly swung into action, gathered intelligence, and arrested the said Ugonna Nnadi. The Chief Revolver pistol with five rounds of live ammunition and one expended shell was recovered from him. The suspect confessed to being a member of the dreaded cult group and stated that he intended to kill the complainant, Chimdi Nnadi. Meanwhile, the investigation is ongoing.

“Acting of credible intelligence that hoodlums who specialized in POS fraud are in operation at Umukoto Umudibia, Nekede. Operatives of Nekede Divisional Headquarters, in synergy with the local vigilantes, mobilised to the scene. On sighting the police, the hoodlums took to their heels but were given a hot chase by the determined operatives, during which Ifeanyi Anyasodor ‘m’, 23, AKA Eluigwe, was eventually arrested while Dikachi ‘m’ and other suspects escaped. On searching the suspect, One Baibox, and a suspected stolen POS machine were recovered. On interrogation, he confessed to crime and membership of the Vikings confraternity. Efforts are on top gear to arrest his cohort and bring them to book,” he narrated.

He, however, appreciated state governor, Hope Uzodimma for his support and fight against crime as well as the officers who carried out the operation with the help of sister security agencies. (The PUNCH)