The Imo State Police Command has announced the arrest of two top commanders of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Eastern Security Network, alongside 955 other suspects linked to violent crimes across the state.
At a press briefing in Owerri on Friday, the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, said the breakthrough followed weeks of joint operations against kidnappers, armed robbers, cultists, terrorists, and other criminal gangs.
Among those arrested were ESN leaders identified as Chukwuebuka Eririogu and Uzoechi Okechukwu, who police said had confessed to carrying out multiple deadly attacks.
“One of the key breakthroughs was the arrest of notorious IPOB/ESN terrorists found with arms, ammunition, incriminating materials, and financial records,” Danjuma said. “Investigations also led to the apprehension of some of their sponsors and financiers, drastically reducing their nefarious activities and cutting off vital funding channels.”
The CP revealed that in the last two months, police rescued nine kidnap victims and seven stolen children, many of whom have since been reunited with their families.
Recovered items included 17 firearms such as AK-47 rifles and pump-action guns, 72 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 673 live cartridges, nine stolen motorcycles, criminal charms, several improvised explosive devices, laptops, phones, Biafra currencies, counterfeit money, and a large quantity of hard drugs.
Danjuma explained that a recent raid on September 16 at Obudi Agwa in Oguta LGA turned violent after gunmen opened fire on security operatives. “On sighting the operatives, the hoodlums engaged them in a fierce gun battle but were overpowered by superior firepower. Sixteen suspects, including their sub-commanders Uzoechi Okechukwu and Paschal Igbuogwu, were arrested. Recovered from the camp were two AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, 375 rounds of ammunition, IPOB/ESN flags, and charms,” he said.
Similarly, on September 9, a suspected kingpin, Onye Chukwuebuka Eririogu, was arrested at Ogbaku in Mbaitoli LGA. “During interrogation, he confessed to multiple violent attacks carried out in collaboration with his gang,” Danjuma added.
The police boss noted that joint operations with other security agencies had already dismantled camps in Okigwe, Mbaitoli, and Njaba LGAs, crippling the group’s ability to launch further attacks.
“As your Commissioner of Police, I want to reassure the good people of Imo State that we remain resolute in our duty to protect lives and property. These achievements reflect our firm commitment to rid Imo of crime and ensure a safe environment for all. We will not relent until our state is fully secured and peaceful,” CP Danjuma said.
