Police arrest ‘IPOB/ESN commander’, destroy training camps in Ebonyi

The Ebonyi police command says it arrested two members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN) after raiding three training camps of the proscribed group.

The police said the camps were located in “a thick forest” in Omege village, Agba community, Ishielu LGA.

Chris Anyanwu, spokesperson of the command, said the police also recovered assorted arms and ammunition, military uniforms and many incriminating exhibits.

“The operation was spearheaded by the Command’s Tactical teams, assisted by the military and DSS in the state,” he said in a statement on Sunday.

“It was prompted by quantum pieces of reliable evidence, professionally elicited from interrogation of Nnamdi Ngwuta, aka State Commander, number three and another operative of the outlawed group, Felix Ogudu, who were earlier arrested.

“While accessing the Camps, the combined teams were ambushed by the criminal elements with rains of sporadic shooting in their direction.

“Without hesitation, the allied team swiftly responded and engaged them in same manner and of course, their superior firepower subdued the miscreants.

“They chanted morale-boasting war songs, dived into the Opeke River and swam to different directions as they scampered for safety.

“However, a good number of them were neutralised while many escaped with bullet injuries.

“After dislodging the criminal elements and taking over the ground, the camp, which they christened “IGBO BU IGBO TRAINING SCHOOL CAMP”, was ransacked and destroyed.

“Equally, a wooden bridge under construction, intended to aid the miscreants in their coming and going, was dismantled.”

The Ebonyi police spokesperson listed the recovered exhibits to include 11 bullet-proof jackets and eight sets of military camouflage uniforms.

“Two camp-gas cookers, 110 rounds of FNC live ammunition, 40 rounds of GPMG live ammunition, two PRO electronics scanners (EOD equipment), five empty canons and five single-barrel guns were also recovered among others,” he added.