The Imo police command says it has arrested a member of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), an outfit of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), over the kidnap of Samuel Ohiri.
Ohiri, the former chairman of Imo state council of traditional rulers, was abducted in the early hours of Saturday. He was whisked away by the hoodlums from his residence in Orodo Mbaitoli LGA of Imo state.
In a statement on Tuesday, Henry Okoye, police spokesperson in Imo, said the arrested ESN member is suspected of being involved in the abduction of Ohiri and Sabinus Ugwuebu, a road safety officer.
He said police operatives, in collaboration with the military, raided suspected hideouts of terrorists and captured one.
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He said many of the terrorists escaped the location with gunshot injuries.
“Following cases of kidnapping involving Mr Sabinus Ugwuebu, ‘m’, a road safety officer, and HRH Eze Ohiri, former Eze Imo as victims, police operatives in robust synergy with the military on 08/01/2023 at about 0330hrs stormed a suspected terrorist camp at Ihite Owerre, in Orlu LGA of Imo state, and arrested one suspect while others escaped with gunshot injuries after a protracted gunfight with the terrorists,” the statement reads.
“On searching the camp, one pump action gun, two double barrel guns, two single barrel guns, fifty-four (54) rounds of live cartridges, military uniforms, six motorcycles, a box containing locally made explosives, and road safety uniforms of the kidnapped officer were recovered.
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“A concerted investigative effort is in progress to arrest the fleeing suspects and possibly rescue the kidnapped victims. They will be arraigned in court upon completion of the investigation.”
He added that Aboki Danjuma, commissioner of police in Imo, assured the public of the command’s commitment to partner with the military and other security agencies to ensure crimes are prevented in the state.
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