Eight members of the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and its militia affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN), have been arrested for allegedly killing five policemen in Imo state.
The five policemen were killed by gunmen on April 21 at Ngor Okpala.
Imo Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, said that the prime suspect, identified as Mathew Chuwkuma, is the sector commander of ESN in the state.
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According to him, “Sequel to the attack of Police Officers on patrol attached to Ngor-Okpala/Mbaise Area Command at Ngor-Okpala, Imo State on 21/04/2023 by hoodlums suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militia affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN) where gallant police officers lost their lives, the indefatigable Commissioner of Police, Imo state, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde after on the spot assessment of the incident, directed the Command’s tactical teams to commence detailed investigation and manhunt to unravel the perpetrators of the dastardly act.
“Acting on the CP’s directives, a detachment of the Command’s tactical team on 24/04/2023 at about 1730hrs after diligent gathering of credible intelligence, arrested one Mathew Chuwkuma 48yrs ‘m’ of Mpam Ahaizu Mbaise LGA, Imo State, in his hideout at Umuahia, Abia State.
“He confessed to be the Sector Commander of a dreadful IPOB/ESN syndicate in Mbaise and assisted the curious operatives in arresting three of his syndicate namely; Ojoko Ikechukwu 53yrs of Umugwa, Chilaka Charles 44yrs of Umuezuo, and Anthony Iwu 50yrs of Umugwa all in Umuokiria, Ahaizu Mbaise LGA of Imo State in their Criminal hideout while others escaped.
“On searching the suspects and their hideout the following incriminating items were recovered; One cut to size AK 47 rifle, One hundred and Ninety rounds of live 7.62 mm Ammunition, Two AK 47 magazines, two cut to size double barrel guns, one locally fabricated Berretta pistol were recovered from the Terrorist hideout.
“In the course of investigation, the suspects all confessed to be members of the a dreadful IPOB/ESN syndicate terrorizing the good people of Imo State and had a hand in the recent killing of four Police officers and two civilians at Ngor Okpala.
“They volunteered crucial information that assisted the determined operatives on 27/04/2023 at about 1240hrs, in raiding their second hideout/shrine in Itu, Ezinitte Mbaise LGA Imo State which led to the arrest of four other notorious IPOB/ESN suspects famous on the command’s wanted list due to their nefarious activities.
“On sighting the Operatives, the notorious criminal syndicate engaged them in a fierce gun duel but were over powered by super fire power of the combat ready tactical squad which forced them to disarray and resulted to the arrest of four other suspects namely; Ibe Demian 50yrs Iwuala Simon 31 yrs both of Neme Mpam Ahaizu Mbaise LGA of Imo State, Nwabueze Ahiwe 47 yrs of Onicha Ezinititte Mbaise LGA of Imo State and Obali Paul 70 yrs ‘m’ of Itu Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA of Imo State, who is the Chief Priest of the Criminal Syndicate while others escaped with various degrees of bullet injuries.
“On searching their second hideout which also serves as shrine where the perform fetish rituals, one AK 47 riffle, three (3) pump action guns, two single barrel locally made guns, one locally made pistol, one cut to size gun, 50 rounds of 7.66mm live ammunition, 38 rounds of live cartridges, two AK 47 magazines, two locally made explosive devices, one Iphone, One H-mobile, Walkie-Talkie, Three cow horns painted with Biafran Insignia, two Biafran Jewish caps, Jewish Flag, large quantity of weeds suspected to be Cannabis Sativa other fetish object were recovered”
