5 gunmen killed, 3 police officers injured in police raid on IPOB/ESN camp in Imo
The Imo State Police Command Tactical Team raided the hideout of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and its affiliated branch, Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Izombe, in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.
In a statement released Friday by State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Michael Abattam said the thug camp raid followed a diligent collection of technical intelligence and information. credible information about the activities of the group.
The police spokesman said the thugs on seeing the officers engaged them in a firefight but were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the gallant officers who positioned themselves professionally.
He said that during the fierce firefight, the thugs suffered a huge loss which forced them to retreat and escape into the bush with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.
Officers after dislodging the thugs entered and conducted a thorough search of the camp where the following items: 3 English-made pump-action pistols, 118 GPMG ammunition, 41 live AK-47 ammunition, 19 G3 ammunition, one ( 1) locally-made double-barreled cut-to-size, one locally-made double-barrel, 4 locally-made pistols, 4 locally-made explosive devices, military uniforms, police uniforms, Biafra flags, four ESN caps, 1 pair of boots police, various types of hard drugs, some police equipment, 4 live turtles, large amounts of herbs suspected to be Indian hemp, and pieces of red cloth were recovered from the police station.
He said that after the successful raid, the agents leaving the thugs' den were ambushed some distance away by the thugs who engaged them in another gun duel.
During the exchange of fire according to the PPRO, the officers managed to subdue the thugs and in the process and five of them were neutralized.
He said that unfortunately, three (3) police officers suffered non-life threatening injuries and were taken to a government hospital where they were treated.
According to him, the thugs realizing they had suffered a heavy defeat launched a retaliatory attack on the villages, burning down houses belonging to both serving and retired police officers and others security agencies.
CSP said homes belonging to people they suspect to be security agency informants were also set on fire.
Meanwhile, the community has been bolstered with enough police and other security personnel to protect lives and property, while efforts continue to apprehend fleeing suspects.
>Police Commissioner, Imo State Command, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde commended the officers and men for their bravery and called on various communities in the state to form vigilante groups to complement police efforts .
He further called on the Hunters Association to collaborate with the security agencies by giving them information on the criminal hiding places observed in the bushes.
He advised communities not to allow their areas to be used as a haven for the commission of heinous crimes and to report suspicious activity or anyone seen tending to gunshot wounds to the nearest police station or call the Command emergency numbers: 08034773600 or 08098880197.
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The Imo State Police Command Tactical Team raided the hideout of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and its affiliated branch, Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Izombe, in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.
In a statement released Friday by State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Michael Abattam said the thug camp raid followed a diligent collection of technical intelligence and information. credible information about the activities of the group.
The police spokesman said the thugs on seeing the officers engaged them in a firefight but were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the gallant officers who positioned themselves professionally.
He said that during the fierce firefight, the thugs suffered a huge loss which forced them to retreat and escape into the bush with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.
Officers after dislodging the thugs entered and conducted a thorough search of the camp where the following items: 3 English-made pump-action pistols, 118 GPMG ammunition, 41 live AK-47 ammunition, 19 G3 ammunition, one ( 1) locally-made double-barreled cut-to-size, one locally-made double-barrel, 4 locally-made pistols, 4 locally-made explosive devices, military uniforms, police uniforms, Biafra flags, four ESN caps, 1 pair of boots police, various types of hard drugs, some police equipment, 4 live turtles, large amounts of herbs suspected to be Indian hemp, and pieces of red cloth were recovered from the police station.
He said that after the successful raid, the agents leaving the thugs' den were ambushed some distance away by the thugs who engaged them in another gun duel.
During the exchange of fire according to the PPRO, the officers managed to subdue the thugs and in the process and five of them were neutralized.
He said that unfortunately, three (3) police officers suffered non-life threatening injuries and were taken to a government hospital where they were treated.
According to him, the thugs realizing they had suffered a heavy defeat launched a retaliatory attack on the villages, burning down houses belonging to both serving and retired police officers and others security agencies.
CSP said homes belonging to people they suspect to be security agency informants were also set on fire.
Meanwhile, the community has been bolstered with enough police and other security personnel to protect lives and property, while efforts continue to apprehend fleeing suspects.
>Police Commissioner, Imo State Command, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde commended the officers and men for their bravery and called on various communities in the state to form vigilante groups to complement police efforts .
He further called on the Hunters Association to collaborate with the security agencies by giving them information on the criminal hiding places observed in the bushes.
He advised communities not to allow their areas to be used as a haven for the commission of heinous crimes and to report suspicious activity or anyone seen tending to gunshot wounds to the nearest police station or call the Command emergency numbers: 08034773600 or 08098880197.
ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
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