Combined security operatives have successfully dismantled the hideouts of “notorious commanders” of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Imo State.
The operation, carried out on Monday in Ubaa, Umuaka—a volatile community in Njaba Local Government Area—was described as a significant victory by security forces.
According to Henry Okoye, Deputy Superintendent of Police and spokesman for the Imo State Police Command, the operation was a collaborative effort involving police officers and other unnamed security agencies.
Acting on a tip-off and confessional statements from two detained suspects, Uchenna Opara and Ozioma Ihedoro, security operatives moved in on the targeted location.
Upon arrival, the armed militants opened fire but were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the operatives, forcing them to flee into nearby bushes, many sustaining gunshot wounds in the process.
The raid yielded a substantial cache of weapons and equipment, including two Biafra flags, one Point of Sale (POS) machine, an AK-47 rifle with three magazines, 40 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition, 60 rounds of live General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) ammunition, two pump-action guns, and 582 live cartridges.
Investigations are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects, according to the police.
The Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Aboki Danjuma, has assured residents of their safety and urged them to remain vigilant.
He emphasized the importance of promptly reporting suspicious individuals, particularly those with gunshot injuries, to the authorities.
Danjuma also encouraged the use of designated emergency phone lines for quick responses to security concerns.
IPOB, which advocates for the secession of South-east and parts of South-south Nigeria, has been linked to several violent attacks in the region.
However, the group has consistently denied involvement in such incidents, maintaining that it is committed to peaceful advocacy.
