A clergyman, identified as Cletus Nwachukwu Egole aka Alewa, has been arrested in connection with the attacks on security operatives across the South-East, the police said in a statement on Sunday.
Frank MBA, the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), in the statement, said Egole – who is reportedly attached to the Holy Blessed Trinity Sabbath Church, Orlu, Imo State – was arrested alongside one Michael Uba, a prophet with the Association of Jewish Faith. The duo – Uba and Egole – allegedly confessed to being active members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The Police had blamed the IPOB and ESN members for the killing of over 15 security personnel during various attacks across the region in the month of March alone.
It would be recalled that many police stations were set ablaze in the attacks while armouries were also looted.
According to the police, during interrogation, Alewa named two other suspects: Ugochukwu Samuel a.k.a Biggy, 28-year-old and native of Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State and Raphael Idang, 31, from Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The statement read: “Twelve others, in the course of the investigation, were implicated in multiple felonies committed across several states in the South-Eastern part of the Federation.
“The suspects were arrested in various parts of the country following sustained, and intelligence-driven sting operations.
“Police investigations clearly established and linked the suspects to several incidents of attacks and murder of security personnel as well as stealing, unlawful possession of firearms, arson and malicious damage to operational assets of military and law enforcement agents.
“Specifically, investigations revealed that the duo of Ugochukwu Samuel, aka Biggy, and Raphael Idang were among the criminal elements that attacked policemen on duty at a checkpoint on 24th December 2020 along Orlu-Ihiala Road in Imo State where two police officers were killed and a Police Hilux patrol van set ablaze.
“In addition, both were part of a larger group that attacked a police reconnaissance team on 13th January, 2021 killing one police officer. Ugochukwu Samuel a.k.a Biggy, who sustained a bullet wound during an attack by his gang on a military convoy in which some soldiers were killed and weapons carted away, was subsequently arrested while receiving treatment in a hospital. Both suspects confessed to being active members of IPOB and ESN,” Mba said in the statement.
He added that a total of nine AK47 rifles, five other sophisticated firearms, 17 AK47 Magazines, 549 AK47 live ammunition, 10 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), camouflage bulletproof vests, walkie talkies and other incriminating items were recovered from the suspects.
ESN members had engaged security agents in clashes that led to the killing of many, including civilians and security personnel, in Orlu area of Imo.
