Police arrest ’15 ESN members’ in Imo, recover weapons

The Imo police command says it has arrested 15 suspected members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the armed wing of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

In a statement on Friday, Henry Okoye, spokesperson of the command, said the arrest was carried out following confessions by some members of the group who had been arrested by the command’s anti-kidnapping squad in Owerri.

Okoye said that Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, the command’s chief superintendent of police, led the squad in the follow-up operation.

The command’s spokesperson added that the 15 suspects were apprehended at their hideouts in Obiangwu and Logara forests in Ngor-Okpala LGA of the state.

He said items recovered from the suspects included an AK47 rifle loaded with 21 rounds of live ammunition, charms, one cut-to-size double barrel shotgun, four locally made shotguns, three rounds of live ammunition, illicit drugs and substances.

“One militia camouflage T-shirt, one improvised explosive device, one Guinea fowl with fetish items on it, one POS machine used in extorting money from their victims and various denominations of Biafra currency, were equally recovered,” Okoye said.

“The suspects will be arraigned in court upon completion of a comprehensive investigation.”

Okoye noted that Aboki Danjuma, the commissioner of police in the state, restated his commitment to ensuring proper security for residents during the festive season.

He said the command would also intensify efforts to stop the activities of unrepentant criminals.

Okoye encouraged members of the public to support the police with timely and actionable information by calling: 08034773600 and 08098880197.