Imo: Police nab proscribed IPOB secessionists, recover arms, Biafra currency
The Imo State Police Command said it has arrested 15 suspected members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the armed wing of the proscribed secessionist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The spokesperson for the police command, ASP Henry Okoye, said in a statement in Owerri that items such as an Improvised Explosive Device, rifles, various denominations of Biafra currency and Point of Sale (POS) machine were recovered from the violent group.
Henry Okoye explained that an AK-47 rifle loaded with 21 rounds of live ammunition, charms, one cut-to-size double-barrelled shotgun, four locally made shotguns, three rounds of live ammunition and illicit drugs and substances were recovered from the suspects.
He added, “One militia camouflage T-Shirt, one Improvised Explosive Device, one guinea fowl with fetish items on it, one PoS machine used in extorting money from their victims and various denominations of Biafra currency were equally recovered.
“The suspects will be arraigned in court upon completion of a comprehensive investigation.”
Okoye appealed to the good members of the state to support the police with timely and actionable information to decimate the strength of criminals in the region.
He reaffirmed the Commissioner of Police’s vow to provide appropriate security over the holiday season while also intensifying the crackdown on rebellious and unrepentant criminals across the state.
