The Imo police command says it arrested one Uzoamaka Ugoanyanwu a native doctor who allegedly prepares charms for members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Over the past weeks, Imo has witnessed a barrage of attacks by gunmen.
Abutu Yaro, the commissioner of police in Imo, confirmed the arrest in a statement signed by Bala Alkana, the command’s spokesman.
The CP said the suspect led security operatives to IPOB‘s hideout where eight other suspects were arrested.
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He said two of the suspects were identified as part of the gunmen that attacked the country home of Hope Uzodinma, the governor, in April.
Yaro said the arrests were made following “a painstaking investigation” carried out by the command’s tactical units.
“In consonance with the mandate given to the operatives of the command by IGP Alkali Usman to fish out all criminal elements in the state and restore normalcy to the state, we have declared war on criminal elements,” he said.
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“On June 8, at about 1630 hrs, tactical teams of the command through diligent and painstaking investigations, stormed Ukwuorji, Mbaitoli Local Government area, along Onitsha road and arrested one Ezeugo Ordu, a native of Ubachima, Omuma, Oru West LGA.’
“He confessed to being a member of IPOB/ESN and made useful statements to the Police as regards to the recent attacks on Police stations as well as the residence of Gov. Uzodinma.
“He further led operatives of the command to the IPOB/ESN camp, a bush close to Njaba River, 9 persons were arrested at the criminal hideout while planning another attack, assorted charms were recovered from them.
“However, two out of the 9 arrested in the hideout, Chinedu Nwakaire and Uzoamaka Ugoanyawu the native doctor, were identified to be part of the hoodlums that attacked the private residence of the governor recently.”
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The CP asks members of IPOB/ESN “especially those who stole police arms and ammunitions to voluntarily surrender themselves to enable them to get a soft landing”.
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