At least 26 sit-at-home enforcers suspected of belonging to the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have been arrested by the police in Imo.
Announcing this, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ahmed Barde, said the suspects were apprehended on Wednesday.
Barde accused the suspected IPOB members of randomly shooting and attacking people celebrating a birthday in a hotel near Irete.
Additionally, the police boss disclosed that civic-minded residents reported seeing IPOB members in a hotel (name withheld) at Catering bus stop, Free Zone, Irete.
He said operatives of the command’s tactical team, working in collaboration with operatives of the 18 Police Mobile Force, were quickly mobilised to the scene.
Barde said, “Unfortunately, a lifeless body, later identified as Remigius Emeka Njoku, a relative to the celebrant, was seen lying on the floor in his pool of blood. The outlawed IPOB and ESN unlawful sit-at-home enforcers immediately opened fire on sighting police operatives, but they were overwhelmed by the dexterity, stiff resistance, and superior firepower of the police, which forced them to flee to the adjourning bush with various degrees of gunshot injuries.”
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“On combing the hotel and nearby bush, traces of blood were seen, which suggested that some of these terrorists were hit.
“During the search around the hotel, one AK-47 rifle, 48 rounds of live ammunition, four pump-action guns, 18 rounds of live cartridges, two AK-47 magazines, and a face mask were recovered. A total of 26 suspects were arrested; they are still undergoing thorough screening.”
The police boss added that “investigation is ongoing, and certainly the suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of a diligent investigation.”
In another news, Very Rev Fr Joseph Azubuike, a Catholic priest and three others who were recently kidnapped by unknown gunmen on Monday, have regained freedom from their abductors.
Recall that Azubuike, a parish priest of St Charles in Mgbaleke Isu in Onicha LGA of Ebonyi State and three others were kidnapped on their way back home from pastoral duties.
The release of the abducted priest and three others was contained in a statement signed by the Diocesan Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, Rev Fr Matthew Uzoma Opoke and made available to newsmen in Abakaliki.
The statement reads in part: “We are glad to inform you that Fr. Joseph Azubuike, together with the three, have regained freedom from their abductors. It is a thing of joy that God answered our prayers and gazetted the unconditional release of His servant in a very remarkable way.