Enugu Police Foil IPOB/ESN Plot to Enforce Sit-at-Home Order, Kill Three Suspects

In a successful operation carried out in the early hours of Monday, the Enugu State Police Command, in conjunction with a special squad of the Nigerian Police Force and troops from the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu, thwarted a planned enforcement of an illegal sit-at-home order by members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) affiliated with the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

Acting on credible intelligence, the joint security team raided a criminal hideout located in Ezioha Mgbowo within the Awgu Local Government Area of the state, where the ESN members were finalizing their plans to enforce the sit-at-home order. Upon arrival, the criminals engaged the security forces in a firefight.

During the exchange of gunfire, three of the ESN members were neutralized, while several others managed to escape, albeit with gunshot wounds. The operation resulted in the confiscation of three pump-action guns, ten machetes, and various other incriminating items.

Enugu State Police Command’s Spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe, stated, “At about 2:15 a.m. on Monday, September 18, 2023, a joint security team…busted the criminal hideout of IPOB/ESN subversive criminal elements in Ezioha Mgbowo in Awgu Local Government Area, while they were perfecting plans to enforce the illegal sit-at-home order in the State.”

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, commended the joint team for their swift action and emphasized the commitment of the police and other security forces to eradicate violent criminals operating under any guise. He reassured the public of their safety and encouraged citizens to report individuals with gunshot wounds to the nearest police station while continuing to provide actionable security information and intelligence.

This successful operation highlights the dedication of the Enugu State Police Command and its partners in maintaining law and order in the state and preventing the enforcement of illegal activities by criminal elements.