Police in Imo State have raided a camp suspected to belong to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), arresting 29 individuals and recovering a cache of weapons.
The raid took place in Nempi, located in Oru West Local Government Area, and was announced in a statement by the Imo State Police Command spokesperson, Henry Okoye, on Monday. Among those arrested were 25 men and four women, all allegedly connected to the proscribed IPOB group.
The operation was launched after the arrest of a key suspect, 25-year-old Anukuru Nnana Emmanuel, on September 15, 2024, in Mgbidi. His confession led the police to the camp, where they successfully dismantled the group’s operations.
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During the raid, the police recovered a range of weapons, including four pump-action guns, two locally-made revolvers, five locally-made pistols, three AK-47 magazines, and 20 rounds of live ammunition. Other seized items included a Point of Sale (PoS) machine, over ₦200,000 reportedly extorted from kidnapping victims, a white SUV, and local bulletproof charms believed to have been used by the suspects.
The police described the raid as a significant step in tackling the security threat posed by such groups in the state. Investigations are ongoing, with efforts underway to trace and apprehend the manufacturers of the locally-made firearms.
The police reiterated their commitment to ensuring public safety and promised continued decisive action against criminal activities in Imo State.
