The Imo State Police Command has killed six terrorist kingpins associated with the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the state.
In a statement issued by the force’s Public Relations Officer, OluMuyiwa Adejobi, he said three of the six terrorist kingpins identified as Ifeanyi Anayo a.k.a. Zuma De Rock aged 28, Chukwuemeka Odionyenfe a.k.a. Nmimi aged 22 and Kingsley Sunday aged 21 all natives of Ogube, Ihube in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State, were among the gang responsible for the attack on the Owerri Correctional Center on April 5, 2021, the killing of five policemen in Umunna, Okigwe, on December 12, 2022, and the burning of Arondizuogu Police Station on February 8, 2022.
They were also involved in multiple kidnappings, including those of WAEC staff on June 5, 2023, four reverend sisters on August 21, 2022, and four Chinese nationals on December 6, 2023.
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According to the force public relations officer, the Command’s tactical Unit following credible intelligence, located the terrorists’ hideout in a forest within Ihube, Okigwe LGA.
During the operation, NPF officers came under heavy fire from suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists, however, they demonstrated exceptional courage and engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle.
Adejobi listed items recovered to include five AK-47 rifles, 552 rounds of live ammunition, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), several communication equipment, along 8 operational motorcycles.
He said the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun has commended the gallant operatives for their exceptional display of bravery and coordination and charged police operatives across commands and formations, to sustain the tempo and implement the Force’s action plan aimed at reducing crimes drastically in the first quarter of the year 2025.
Military personnel have also cordoned off the area, as authorities continue monitoring the situation.
He particularly said the Yoruba culture must be guided because it's "authentic."
But the troops killed over 70 terrorists including some of their commanders during the operation.
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