The Enugu state police command says it has killed three operatives of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militant wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the Igbo-Eze North local government area and recovered their weapons.
A statement by the command’s spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, said the suspects were killed when a combined team of police special forces and operatives serving in Igbo-Eze North Police Division raided their camp in the Imufu area of the council on Thursday, August 10, 2023.
The Enugu state police command says it has killed three operatives of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militant wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the Igbo-Eze North local government area and recovered their weapons.
A statement by the command’s spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, said the suspects were killed when a combined team of police special forces and operatives serving in Igbo-Eze North Police Division raided their camp in the Imufu area of the council on Thursday, August 10, 2023.
According to Ndukwe, when the operatives engaged in a gun duel with the alleged criminal elements, “three of the hoodlums were neutralised in the ensuing gunfight,” while many others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.
“Four pump action guns, one locally fabricated revolver gun, and pistol, 67 live cartridges, military camouflage uniforms, fabrics of IPOB insignia, objects suspected to be amulets and other incriminating exhibits were recovered,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, Ndukwe said that a preliminary investigation revealed that “the criminal elements were responsible for the shooting and killing of two Neighbourhood Watch Group security personnel on 21/07/2023 at about 1 a.m., at Umuagama in Enugu-Ezike community of Igbo-Eze North LGA and had made several attempts to enforce the illegal sit-at-home order in some parts of the council.”
He said the police commissioner, Ahmed Ammani, had reaffirmed the command’s unwavering commitment to weed out unrepentant criminals in the state while commending the operatives for successfully executing the operation.
Ndukwe noted that the commissioner tasked men and officers of the command to remain firm, resilient, and maintain the tempo while soliciting the continued support of residents to weed out criminal elements.
“We are urging residents of Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area and owners of medical facilities in particular, to promptly report individuals sighted with gunshot wounds to the nearest Police Station. Or by calling the Command’s emergency hotlines on 08032003702, 08075380883, 08086671202, or 08098880172, or send emails to infoenugupolice@gmail.com,” the police said.
(SR)
