Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the killing of an alleged member of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN).
The Police said the member whose name could not be ascertained was killed during an exchange of gunfire between the disbanded group and security agents in the State.
Police spokesperson in the state, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya said that security agents invaded IPOB/ESN hideout following a credible and actionable intelligence.
She noted that a tactical team of operatives of the Command in a joint operation with the military and the Department of State Service (DSS) stormed the camp of the group at Ekeagbebor Isu in Onicha Local Government Area of the state.
SP Onovwakpoyeya said that on getting to the entrance of the camp, the hoodlums engaged the security team in a gun battle.
She notes that in the ensuing gun duel, one of the IPOB/ESN members was killed, while others escaped with various degrees of bullet wounds.
She maintained that two other members of the group, one Emmanuel Chinedu ‘m’ a.k.a Patho, aged 26yrs and Paul Ani ‘m’ a.k.a Osah, aged 38yrs were arrested by the security agents.
“During the ensuing gun duel, one of the police operatives sustained bullet wound injury on one of his legs and was rushed to the hospital where he is responding to treatment and recuperating,” she noted.
The Police spokesperson noted that the IPOB/ESN camp/shrine was completely destroyed during the operation.
She further revealed thay neighbouring Agba community later arrested one Chidi Chukwu aged 31yrs, suspected to be member of IPOB/ESN when he was trying to flee the community and was handed him over to the police.
“The Commissioner of police is using this opportunity to appeal to all hospitals, traditional medicine homes, chemists and all Ebonyians to report anyone seeking medical attention with bullet wounds injuries to the nearest police station.”
“Furthermore, the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, CP Augustina Ogbodo psc, is using this medium to warn criminals to either desist from crime or relocate from the state as the Command is working round the clock to ensure that anyone terrorising the State is arrested and brought to justice.
