The Imo State Police Command said it has recorded success in the eradication of a criminal elements in the state for a crime free yuletide season.
According to the Imo Police spokesman, CSP Mike Abattam, the command, Thursday, killed a criminal suspected to be a member of the proscribed Indigeneous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The statement read: “On 27/10/2022 at 0900hrs, luck ran against a six-man terror gang, suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN), who came in a Sienna vehicle with registration number ABUJA-GWA 932 CQ, and attacked Police operatives while conducting a stop and search duty along UBA roundabout in Orlu, Imo State.
“The hoodlums who came prepared, shooting sporadically at the police officers, were shocked by the alertness and dexterity displayed by the gallant police officers who responded swiftly, positioning themselves professionally.
“In the gun duel that ensued, the hoodlums were overwhelmed by the superior fire power of the police and in the process one of the hoodlums was neutralised while others escaped into the adjoining bushes with fatal bullet injuries abandoning their sienna vehicle, one AK47 rifle with fifteen (15) rounds of live ammunition, two (2) English made Pump Action guns with ten (10) rounds of live cartridges and assorted charms.
“All the abandoned items were recovered by the police operatives and taken to the station, while the corpse was later removed from the scene and deposited at a nearby mortuary.”
Abattam said that preliminary investigation revealed that the Sienna vehicle used by the terror gang was snatched from its owner in Amurie Omanze in Isu Local Government Area of Imo State and it was reported at Njaba Police Station.
“However, the owner has been contacted to come with proof of ownership for the collection of his vehicle, while the Command’s Tactical Teams are working assiduously to arrest the fleeing suspects.”
