Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The Police in Ebonyi State has raided and sacked a camp suspected to belong to an armed separatist group in the State killing one of the gunmen during a shootout.
The Command spokesperson, Chris Anyanwu, stated this in a statement on Friday in Abakaliki, the State capital.
According to him, command stormed the camp located at Oriuzor Village, on Thursday following a tip off.
He said the camp is believed to be run by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militia arm, Eastern Security Network (ESN).
“At about 1435hrs of 30/06/2022, the tactical teams of Ebonyi State Police Command led by SP Jerry Maigoroson stormed the camp of suspected IPOB/ ESN adherents located at Oriuzor village in Ezza Narth LG.A through a credible intelligence at the disposal of the Command,” Mr Aayanwu said.
He noted that on sighting the Police operatives, the hoodlums opened fire on them which resulted to a gun duel.
“In the process, one of the hoodlums simply identified as Eljan, an indigene of Ezza North LGA was fatally wounded, while about six (6) others escaped with gunshot injuries.”
“Fortunately, one of them Chibundu Ali aged 18 years, native of Ezzama in Ezza East Development Centre was arrested and brought to custody,” he said.
The spokesperson said the arrested suspect is currently being interrogated to unravel the identity of the fleeing ones.
He noted that the camp was ransacked and destroyed, while some exhibits were were recovered.
Among the recovered exhibits, the spokesperson said, include one cut-to-size AK47 rifle with a few rounds of live ammunition which was stolen during an attack on Ezza South Police Station sometime ago.
Other exhibits include: one locally-fabricated revolver pistol, expanded ammunition shells, one machete, assorted fetish-looking substances suspected to be charms, weeds suspected to be marijuana, customized IPOB/ESN cap and red berets, five GSM handsets belonging to the neutralized and fleeing suspects.
Arrest of Ebeubeagu operatives, others for alleged armed robbery
Mr Anyanwu, a superintendent of police, also revealed that the police in another development busted a syndicate of armed robbers who specialize in snatching vehicles and motorcycles from Enugu and other neighboring states.
One of the gang members, explained the police spokesperson, is a member of the state chapter of South-East Security Outfit code-named Ebubeagu.
The Ebubeagu operative and two other gang members were rounded up in Ụbụrụ, Ohaozara Local Government Area while negotiating the sale of one of the snatched motorcycles.
Mr Anyanwu said they were nabbed by a team of policemen attached to Ohaozara Division, led by SP Daniel Nwonu, the Divisional Police Officer.
He said: “The principal suspect, Bassey Francis, a native of lsu-Onicha in Onicha
L.G.A stole the motorcycle from his village, took it to Vincent Ene Njoku, a native of Uburu, in Ohaozara LGA (an Ebubeagu personnel), who in turn connected the suspect to Enyidiya Amara (the Receiver) a native of Uburu, Ohaozara LGA on an agreed sum of N 100,000
“On interrogation, the Ebubeagu personnel confessed to the fact that they belong to a gang with their hideout at Isu-Onicha where they have five other snatched mini-buses and seven motorcycles.
“According to him, they have a master who is a Native Doctor that prepares charms and other concoctions for them whenever they are going out on armed robbery operation,” Mr Anyanwu said.
The spokesperson added that the prime suspect corroborated the confession of his gang mate and further stated that arms are also stock-piled in the same compound.
Mr Anyanwu attributed the successes recorded in the fight against criminality in the State so far to the collaboration and intelligence support of members of the public.
“Like the historical Oliver Twist, we ask for more information and partnership please”, he concluded.
Worsening security situation
Security situation in the South-East has continued to deteriorate with activities of armed separatist groups recorded almost on a daily basis in the region.
The separatists set up camps such as the one raided above from where they plan and launch the attacks.
Abduction for ransom is now one of the dominant crimes across various Nigerian cities. Politicians, entrepreneurs, and just anyone with good financial worth, including school children, are easy targets.
The traditional ruler of Isuokoma autonomous community in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Eze Ambrose Ogbu, was abducted by gunmen last week.
Suspected kidnappers also abducted a photo-journalist, Uchenna Nwube, who works in Ebonyi Government House, early this month on Okigwe-Aba-Enugu Expressway. He was later released.
In Anambra State, still within the South-East, the beheaded body of a former lawmaker was found on Tuesday after gunmen abducted him.
About a month ago, a serving lawmaker in Anambra was similarly beheaded after gunmen abducted him.
Besides abduction for ransom, states in the South-East have been grappling with deadly attacks by armed men.
The attacks, which the Nigerian government blamed on an outlawed group Indigenous People of Biafra, often target police and other security agencies, government facilities and high profile individuals.
IPOB, whose Leader, Nnamdi Kanu remains in detention on charges of treason and terrorism, has continued to deny responsibility for the activities of the armed groups perpetrating the attacks.
