The Imo State Police Command on Thursday said men of the command shot dead one suspected member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network IPOB/ ESN terror gang at Umuchoke in Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo State, during a gun battle.
A statement signed by CSP Michael Abattam, Police Public Relations Officer in Imo State, said the hoodlum had been in the command’s wanted list but on the run after participating in several killings of police officers and burning of police stations.
Among the items police said it recovered from the deceased were one locally made double barrel pistol with two expended cartridges, two live cartridges and the charms he tied around his waist to fortify himself against police bullet.
The command’s said its tactical team after diligent intelligence gathering, on the 6th of October, 2021 at about 1630 hours, mobilized and stormed the shop of the hoodlum, who was later identified as Uchenna Chukwu, aged 34 yrs ‘M’ of Umunakanu in Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo State.
“On sighting the police operatives, he raised the alarm alerting other members of his gang, picked a cutlass and rushed at one of the police operatives in an attempt to chop off his head but was overpowered, disarmed and the cutlass recovered from him.
“While this was on, the already alerted members came in their number and engaged the police operatives in a gun duel but were overwhelmed by the superior fire power of the police and in the process, one of them was neutralized while others escaped with bullet wounds into hiding.”
The suspect is presently undergoing interrogation and has made useful statement to the investigating team, revealing their hideouts and the abode of other members of his gang on the run.
The police said investigation was in progress and its operatives are working in synergy with other security agencies to arrest the other members of the terror group, especially those that escaped with bullet wounds.
The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Rabiu Hussaini, while commending the officers and men for their gallantry, expressed his appreciation to the people of Imo State for their support.
The CP advised them to continue to assist the police with credible information and report to the nearest police station any person seen with bullet wounds.
