January 09, (THEWILL) – A joint security operatives made up of police and the military have raided a criminal hideout suspected to be IPOB/ESN camp at Ihite Owerre, in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State.
A statement by Henry Okoye, Spokesperson of the State Police Command, said the operation, which led to the exchange of gunfire on Tuesday morning, also made a breakthrough in the arrest of one of the suspects behind the kidnap of a road safety officer, Sabinus Ugwuebu, and former Eze Imo, HRH Eze Samuel Ohiri.
“The arrested suspect, who is believed to be a member of the ESN terrorist group, may lead to where the kidnapped victims are. On searching the camp, we recovered road safety uniforms of the kidnapped officer, Sabinus Ugwuebu,” he said, adding that other suspects escaped with gunshot injuries.
Other items recovered include one pump action gun, two double barrel guns, two single barrel guns, 54 rounds of live cartridges, military uniforms, six motorcycles and a box containing locally made explosives.
“A concerted investigative effort is in progress to arrest the fleeing suspects and possibly rescue the kidnapped victims,” he said.
