Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have arrested recovered guns and arrested two suspected members of Eastern Security Network (ESN), an armed security outfit of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), after a gun duel at their hideout at Emekeukwu in Owerri North Council Area.
A statement issued by the police spokesman in the state, Micheal Abattam, said that the operation was part of the command’s efforts to restore maximum peace in the state.
According to the statement, the names of the suspects are Chibuike Iheukwu, 18, of Inyishi Ikeduru Local Government Area of the State; and Jidechi Akakem, 26, of Umuchoke Orji in Owerri North LGA of the State.
The statement disclosed that other members of the outlawed group escaped with bullet wounds after engaging the cops in a gun duel.
Abattam said that the suspects had made useful statements, including confessing to being part of a gang that attacked Orji Divisional headquarters in Owerri weeks ago.
The statement reads: “Sequel to the ongoing clearance operation embarked upon by the Imo State Police Command on raided major IPOB/ESN camps in the state and its environs aimed at wiping out the remnants of the IPOB/ESN Members and restoring lasting peace in the state, the command’s tactical teams, after diligent gathering of technical intelligence, stormed a notorious criminal hideout at Emekeukwu in Owerri North LGA of Imo State where they had a serious gun duel.
“That led to the arrest of two of the suspects namely; Chibuike Iheukwu “M ” 18 years of Inyishi Ikeduru lGA of Imo State and Jidechi Akakem ” M” 26 years of Umuchoke Orji in Owerri North LGA of Imo State while others escaped with bullet wounds.
“Items recovered from them are three (3) locally made pistols with fourteen (14) rounds of live cartridges and substance suspected to be hard drugs. Upon interrogation, one of the suspects, Jidechi Akakem, who has been on the police wanted list of IPOB/ ESN members, confessed to be a member of the dreaded terrorist gang of late Joseph Uka Nnachi aka King of Dragon.
“He admitted being amongst those that attacked Orji Police Station and have committed several other crimes in the state. However, both suspects admitted to be members of the Vikings confraternity headed by one Emmanuel Anyanwu aka ” Walking Skeleton ” a native of Ezeogba Emekeukwu in Owerri North LGA of Imo State and he is the one that gave them the guns and cartridges to go and kill one chief, Sir Vitalis Onuwa “M ” of the same address with Emmanuel Anyanwu aka “Walking Skeleton”.
“Meanwhile, efforts are on to arrest the suspects that escaped with bullet injuries.
“The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Abutu Yaro, fdc, commended the efforts of the officers and men and urged to ensure they sustain the tempo.
“He also appreciated the residents and citizens of the state for their commendable synergy with the police in information flow and provision of credible information that has enable smart policing and interception of criminal elements easier and warned that, all criminals should relocate from the state forthwith or face severe sanction”
