Police rifles recovered as security operatives kill ‘gunmen leader’ in Imo

The Imo police command says a joint operation involving the police, army and other security agencies has led to the killing of one Joseph Nnachi, a gang leader reportedly responsible for carrying out a series of attacks in the state.

Bala Elkana, police spokesperson in Imo, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

He said Nnachi, identified as “king of dragons”, was among the five gunmen killed on Sunday morning in a foiled attack on the police headquarters in Imo.

TheCable had reported how an attack by gunmen, who arrived at the police command in a white bus in the early hours of Sunday, was repelled by security operatives.

The police spokesperson said a member of the gang, who was arrested, confessed that they are members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), an outfit of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

“Five hoodlums were killed in action (KIA) including Joseph Uka Nnachi, alias King of Dragons,” the statement reads.

“One suspect, Stanley Osinachi, ‘m’ 30 years old of Achi/Mberi, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, was arrested and presently aiding investigation.

“He confirmed that Dragon is the leader of the gang in Imo State reporting to their supreme leader Nnamdi Kanu. He stated that they belong to the proscribed IPOB and ESN.

“Four AK-47 rifles with 2,000 rounds of live ammunition and large number of explosives were recovered from the scene. The rifles’ breech numbers were cross-checked and found to be the same Police rifles that were stolen by the hoodlums from our Police station at Omuma on 31st May, 2021, which claimed the lives of four Policemen.”

Elkana said other weapons recovered from the attackers include assualt rifles, six locally fabricated explosive devices, police beret cap, seven AK-47 magazines, one military cap, one military cardigan, one silver coloured mini bus, and one Hummer bus loaded with explosive devices.

“The same gang, together with their members that were killed in previous operations, were responsible for series of attacks in different parts of the state,” the police spokesman said.

“They are the same people in the viral video that blocked the flyover at Orji and killed three unarmed civilians, including a woman they brought out of their vehicle blindfolded.”

Abutu Yaro, commissioner of police in Imo, commended the officers for the successful operation.