The Imo State Police Command has announced that its operatives successfully repelled an attempted attack allegedly carried out by members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), a group linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The operation resulted in the death of one suspect and the recovery of arms and a vehicle used by the attackers.
Henry Okoye, the command’s spokesperson, shared the details with reporters at the command headquarters in Owerri. Displaying the body of the deceased suspect along with the recovered items, he outlined the sequence of events that unfolded on October 29, 2024.
“At approximately 6:30 PM, the Counter Terrorism Unit successfully thwarted an assault by suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists during a routine patrol on the Owerri/Aba Road, near Owerri Airport,” Okoye said. “Around ten assailants launched the attack from two vehicles, but our operatives repelled them. In the confrontation, one suspect was neutralized, while others fled with injuries, abandoning their operational vehicle—a Mercedes Jeep with Lagos registration number AAA 101 GR.”
During the operation, the police recovered an AK-47 rifle, fifteen rounds of 9.62mm ammunition, an IPOB/ESN flag, and the abandoned vehicle. Okoye added that ongoing efforts were being made to locate the remaining suspects, with searches being conducted in surrounding areas.
The State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, has urged the public to assist law enforcement by reporting anyone seeking medical attention for gunshot wounds, stressing the importance of community involvement in ensuring public safety. “We remain committed to maintaining the safety and security of our citizens, and we urge everyone to stay vigilant,” Danjuma emphasized.
