The Police in Imo State have neutralized three armed operatives of the Eastern Security Network, the armed wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra on Wednesday .
The Police Public Relations Officer in charge of the Imo State Command, Mr Michael Abatham, said in a statement on Thursday that the Gunmen were killed while attempting set fire to the Agwa Police Station at Oguta.
Abatham said that the police operatives also recovered three vehicles, arms and ammunition from the hoodlums in a bush combing operation.
However, he said that the gunmen succeeded in setting ablaze the office of the Agwa Central Vigilante Group.
He said that the police have opened investigations into the issue as the operatives are still in pursuit of the fleeing gunmen.
“Sequel to the command’s determination to curb the menace of terrorism in the state, today 18/01/2023 at about 1130hrs, in response to a distress call that, hoodlums suspected to be members of the Proscribed Indegeneous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate Eastern Security Network (ESN) had attacked Agwa Central Vigilante Group, burning down their office and are proceeding to attack and set ablaze Agwa Police Station both in Oguta LGA of Imo State, the combatant Command’s Tactical Teams swiftly mobilized to the area.
“Having been informed that the hoodlums had cordoned the station, the police operatives tactically manoeuvred their way into the station joined the operatives of the division and professionally engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel, and in the process three of the hoodlums were neutralized while others scampered for safety into the adjoining bushes with various degrees of gun shot wounds, abandoning three of their operational vehicles.
“The operatives on combing the bush, the following Items were recovered : (1) two (2) Pump Action guns, (2) two (2) Double Barrel guns, (3) twenty four (24) rounds or live ammunition, (4) twelve (12) expended cartridges,(5) one (1) Improvised Explosive Device, (6) three (3) operational vehicles – one green coloured Lexus 470GL, one black coloured Toyota Highlander, one Oxblood coloured mini bus, (6) two (2) motorcycles, (7) one (1) iron box, (8) one (1) travelling bag and assorted charms.
“Investigation is in progress, the gallant operatives are not relenting in their efforts to arrest the fleeing members of the terrorist group.
“Meanwhile, the corpse of the hoodlums have been evacuated and deposited in the mortuary while, efforts to arrest the fleeing suspects are on top gear since they cannot go far due to the various degrees of bullet injuries they sustained in the gun duel. The police operatives who sustained minor bullet injury was rushed to the hospital for treatment and he is in a stable condition
“The Command is using this medium to call on the good people of the State to collaborate with the Police and other Security Agencies in the fight against terrorism and to report any suspicious activities or person(s) seen treating gun shot wound within their community to the nearest police station or call the command’s emergency numbers 08034773600 or 08098880197.”
The police have shot dead three suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate Eastern Security Network (ESN) in a gun duel in a foiled attack on Agwa Police station in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.
However, the hoodlums succeeded in burning down Agwa Central Vigilante Group in the same council area.
The incident, which occurred at about 11.30om, caused panic among the residents as police engaged the hoodlums in fierce shootout while the hoodlums were trying to attack the police station after they had burnt down Agwa Central Vigilante office.
Confirming the incident, the police spokesman, CSP Michael Abattam said quick response to a distress call prevented the hoodlums from burning the police station but three of the gangsters were killed in the ensuing gun battle.
“Sequel to the command’s determination to curb the menace of terrorism in the state, today 18/01/2023 at about 1130hrs, in response to a distress call that, hoodlums suspected to be members of the Proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate Eastern Security Network (ESN) had attacked Agwa Central Vigilante Group, burning down their office and are proceeding to attack and set ablaze Agwa Police Station both in Oguta LGA of Imo State, the combatant Command’s Tactical Teams swiftly mobilized to the area.
“Having been informed that the hoodlums had cordoned the station, the police operatives tactically manoeuvred their way into the station joined the operatives of the division and professionally engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel, and in the process three of the hoodlums were neutralized while others scampered for safety into the adjoining bushes with various degrees of gunshot wounds, abandoning three of their operational vehicles.”
He said the operatives on combing the bush, discovered the following Items: two Pump Action guns, two Double Barrel guns, 24 rounds or live ammunition, 12 expended cartridges, one Improvised Explosive Device, three operational vehicles – one green coloured Lexus 470GL, one black coloured Toyota Highlander, one Oxblood coloured mini bus, two motorcycles, one iron box, one travelling bag and assorted charms.
He said efforts were been made to arrest the fleeing members of the terrorist group, while the corpses have been evacuated and deposited in the mortuary. (The Nation)