In Imo police kill a suspected IPOB/ESN member and recover his arms.

The Imo State Police Command stated on Thursday that during a gun battle, men from the command shot dead one suspected member of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network IPOB/ESN terror gang at Umuchoke in Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo State.

According to a statement signed by CSP Michael Abattam, Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, the hoodlum was on the command’s wanted list but was on the run after involvement in many deaths of police officers and the burning of police stations.

Among the goods seized from the deceased, according to police, were a locally produced double barrel handgun with two expended rounds, two live cartridges, and the charms he placed around his waist to protect himself from police bullets.

The command stated that its tactical team mobilized and assaulted the shop of the hoodlum, who was later identified as Uchenna Chukwu, aged 34 yrs ‘M’ of Umunakanu in Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo State, on the 6th of October, 2021 at approximately 1630 hours.

“When he saw the police operatives, he raised the alarm, alerting other members of his gang, picked up a cutlass, and ran towards one of the police operatives in an attempt to slice off his head, but he was overpowered, disarmed, and the cutlass was retrieved from him.”

“While this was going on, the already notified members arrived in full numbers and engaged the police agents in a gun duel, but were defeated by the police’s superior fire strength, and in the process, one of them was neutralized, while others escaped with bullet wounds into hiding.”

The suspect is currently being interrogated and has provided vital information to the investigating team, identifying their hideouts as well as the residences of other members of his gang who are on the run.

According to the police, an investigation is underway, and its agents are collaborating with other security agencies to apprehend the other members of the terror cell, particularly those who escaped with bullet wounds.

While commending the officers and men for their bravery, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Rabiu Hussaini, expressed gratitude to the people of Imo State for their support.

The CP asked them to continue providing genuine information to the police and to report any person observed with bullet wounds to the nearest police station.