By Athan Agbakwuru, Owerri
The Imo State Police Command last Monday recorded another significant breakthrough in its fight against insecurity and other criminal activities in Imo State following the arrest of a suspected terrorist who confessed to be a member of the Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network, IPOB/ESN.
In a press statement issued Tuesday, the Imo Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP Henry Okoye stated that operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit diligently gathered actionable intelligence which led to the arrest of the suspected terrorist, Chidebere Nwuzor, ‘m’, 38yrs, of Amauzu in Aboh Mbaise LGA of Imo State.
According to the release, the suspected terrorist has been on the Command’s list of wanted persons due to a series of terrorist activities he reputedly perpetrated in the state alongside his criminal cohorts.
He disclosed that Nwuzor was arrested on Monday 8/04/2024, in his criminal hideout at Umuogu after a fierce gunfight with the gallant operatives, which forced him to surrender after sustaining gunshot injuries on his right leg.
Okoye further hinted that items recovered from the suspect include; one (1) Pump Action gun with six rounds of live cartridges, one (1) Barrera Pistol loaded with 2 rounds of live ammunition, and other incriminating teams
His words, “On interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a member of a deadly IPOB/ESN syndicate responsible for enforcing unlawfully imposed sit-at-home orders by the outlaw group and unleashing mayhem on unsuspecting citizens in the State. He stated that he was recruited into the deadly terrorist group by Ebube Virus and Ichaka, who were earlier neutralized by the operatives in December 2023, and admitted that he drove the operation vehicle that was used in the attack that led to the killing of DPO Ahaizu Mbaise and Inspector of Police in November 2023.”
“The suspect is currently assisting the determined operatives in the investigation, he has provided useful information that will lead to the arrest of other suspects at large and will certainly be made to face the full weight of the law upon completion of a thorough investigation.
“This operational feat amongst many others underscores the Command’s unalloyed determination to put an end to all forms of violent crimes in the State”, he said.
The Command’s spokesman noted that the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma has commended the gallantry of the operatives and assured the good people of Imo State that the Command will not relent in its “unwavering commitment to clamp down on criminally minded element in the State.”
