The militant wing of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Eastern Security Network (ESN), has suffered another setback as their alleged ‘native doctor’ was arrested with Improvised Explosive Device (IED) by the Police in Owerri, Imo State.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Police spokesman, Mike Abattam, on behalf of the state Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro in Owerri.
”After a diligent forensic and technical intelligence gathering, the suspect, Benneth Okoli, 49, was arrested in his shrine at Akuma in Oru East LGA of Imo.
“On searching the shrine, one locally made IED, charms and weed suspected to be cannabis were recovered.
“The suspect on interrogation, made useful statements and is currently assisting the police to arrest the rest of his gang, presently on the run.”
”The arrest is coming a few days after bandits had an encounter with the police in the area.
“Sequel to the attack on the Omuma Police Station in Oru East by bandits suspected to be the remnants of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and ESN terror groups, the CP dispatched the command’s tactical teams led by ACP Benjamin Osuji.
“The team was directed to carry out discreet investigation and arrest the bandits involved in the attack of the police station.”
The CP while commending the gallantry displayed by the officers and men of the command, urge them to sustain the tempo.
He also thanked the people of Imo for their support and solicited for an all society approach to sustaining the already improved security architecture in the state.
Of recent, Police formations and some public buildings had come under intense attacks in Imo State by men suspected to be operatives of the Eastern Security Network(ESN), whose separatist leader, Nnamdi Kanu, was re-arrested recently and brought back to the country to face several charges levied against him.